US State Fruits, Berries, and Nuts
State fruits, berries, and nuts representing the state symbols for each of the 50 states.
State symbols representing fruits, berries, and nuts are often adopted after a concerted effort by citizens that recognized their importance to
the state. To that end, citizens, organizations or school children often research the significant importance of fruits, berries, or nuts in their state
and make a request for a legislative bill.
In botany, which is the scientific study of plants,
fruits are the ripened ovaries of flowering plants. In many plant species, the fruit includes the ripened ovary and surrounding tissues. Fruits are
the means by which flowering plants disseminate seeds, and the presence of seeds indicates that a structure is most likely a fruit, though not all
seeds come from fruits.
The United States of America loves to celebrate its heritage. To become a
state symbol, a fruit, berry or nut must go through a rigorous
lawmaking process. A lot of the time it’s a concentrated effort from a
states’ population that urges lawmakers to put a bill into action. Citizens,
organizations, and even school children do some research before requesting a
bill. After that, the bill follows the regular legislative process. And if
the bill is passed, then the fruit, berry or nut becomes an official state
symbol.
Find images, descriptions, taxonomic hierarchy, and a history of the state fruits, berries, and nuts representing the state symbols for each of
the 50 states. Lists their origin and basic characteristics.
|
State Symbols
|
Fruit - Species - Designation - Adopted
|
Alabama
|
Blackberry
(Rubus occidentalis)
Alabama State Fruit - May 1, 2004 |
Alabama |
Pecan
(Juglandaceae Carya illinoensis)
Alabama State Nut - Feb 2, 1982 |
Alabama |
Peach
(Prunus persica)
Alabama State Tree Fruit - Apr 20, 2006 |
Alaska |
NA |
Arizona |
NA |
Arkansas |
South Arkansas Vine Ripe Pink Tomato
(Genus Lycopersicon)
Arkansas State Fruit & Vegetable - May 16, 1987 |
Arkansas |
Cynthiana grape
(Vitis aestivalis)
Arkansas State Grape - 2009 |
Arkansas |
Pecan
(Carya illinoinensis)
Arkansas State Nut - Mar 27, 2009 |
California |
NA |
Colorado |
NA |
Connecticut |
NA |
Delaware |
Strawberries
(Genus Fragaria)
Delaware State Fruit - 2010 |
Florida |
Orange
(Citrus sinensis)
Florida State Fruit - May 24, 2005 |
Georgia |
Peach
(Prunus persica)
Georgia State Fruit |
Hawaii |
NA |
Idaho |
Huckleberry
(Vaccinium membranaceum)
Idaho State Fruit - Feb 13, 2000 |
Illinois |
Goldrush apple
(Malus xdomestica Borkh)
Illinois State Fruit - 2007 |
Indiana |
NA |
Iowa |
NA |
Kansas |
NA |
Kentucky |
Blackberry
(Rubus occidentalis)
Kentucky State Fruit - 2004 |
Louisiana |
Strawberry
(Genus Fragaria)
Louisiana State Fruit - 1980; 2001 |
Maine |
Wild Blueberry
(Vaccinium angustifolium, Aiton)
Maine State Berry - 1991 |
Massachusetts |
Cranberry
(Vaccinium macrocarpon)
Massachusetts State Berry - July 11, 1994 |
Michigan |
NA |
Minnesota |
HoneycrispTM apple
(Malus domestica "Honeycrisp™")
Minnesota State Fruit - 2006 |
Mississippi |
NA |
Missouri |
Norton/Cynthiana grape
(Vitis aestivalis)
Missouri State Grape - Jul 11, 2003 |
Missouri |
Black Walnut
(Juglans nigra)
Missouri State Nut - July 9, 1990 |
Montana |
NA |
Nebraska |
NA |
Nevada |
NA |
New Hampshire |
Pumpkin
(Cucurbita mixta)
New Hampshire State Fruit - 2006 |
New Jersey |
High Bush Blueberry
(Vaccinium corymbosum)
New Jersey State Fruit - 2003 |
New Mexico |
NA |
New York |
Apple
(Genus Malus)
New York State Fruit - 1976 |
North Carolina |
Scuppernong Grape
(Genus Vitis)
North Carolina State Fruit - 2001 |
North Carolina |
Blueberry
(Genus Vaccinium)
North Carolina State Blue Berry - 2001 |
North Carolina |
Strawberry
(Genus Fragaria)
North Carolina State Red Berry - 2001 |
North Dakota |
Chokecherry
(Prunus virginiana)
North Dakota State Fruit - 2007 |
Ohio |
Tomato
(Lycopersicon esculentus)
Ohio State Fruit - 2009 |
Ohio |
Pawpaw
(Asimina triloba)
Ohio State Native Fruit - 2009 |
Oklahoma |
Strawberry
(Genus Fragaria)
Oklahoma State Fruit - May 19, 2005 |
Oregon |
Pear
(Pyrus communis)
Oregon State Fruit - Apr 18, 2005 |
Oregon |
Hazelnut
(Corylus avellana)
Oregon State Nut - 1989 |
Pennsylvania |
NA |
Rhode Island |
Rhode Island Greening Apple
(Malus domestica)
Rhode Island State Fruit - 1991 |
South Carolina |
Peach
(Prunus persica)
South Carolina State Fruit - 1984 |
South Carolina |
Boiled peanuts
South Carolina State Snack Food - 2006 |
South Dakota |
NA |
Tennessee |
Tomato
(Lycopersicon lycopersicum)
Tennessee State Fruit - 2003 |
Texas |
Texas Red Grapefruit
(Citrus Paradisi)
Texas State Fruit - 1993 |
Texas |
Pecan
(Juglandaceae Carya illinoensis)
Texas State Health Nut Jun 16, 2001 |
Utah |
Cherry
(Prunus avium & Prunus cerasus)
Utah State Fruit - 1997 |
Vermont |
Apple
(Genus Malus )
Vermont State Fruit - May 10, 1999 |
Virginia |
NA |
Washington |
Apple
(Genus Malus)
Washington State Fruit - 1989 |
West Virginia |
Golden Delicious Apple
(Malus pumila)
West Virginia State Fruit - Mar 7, 1972 |
Wisconsin |
Cranberry
(Vaccinium macrocarpon)
Wisconsin State Fruit - 2004 |
Wyoming |
NA |