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Laramie, Wyoming Real Estate: Our State Flower - the Indian Paintbrush

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Live in Laramie Real Estate, Laramie, Wyoming WY #12296

When it comes to native flowers, Cassondra Skinner @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database Wyoming blooms are generally small and seen mostly in the Spring.  Wyoming did not officially adopt a state flower until January 31, 1917 - after much lobbying by activist Dr. Grace Hebard.

Interestingly the decision to choose the Indian Paintbrush was not without controversy:

 http://www.netstate.com/states/symb/flowers/wy_indian_paintbrush.htm

This link reveals that in polls of Wyoming schoolchildren, the Fringed Gentian proved to be a favorite and it served as an unofficial state flower in the early years of the 20th century.  It was also a popular garden flower during this time.

Fringed GentianIn fact, on the stained glass ceiling in the House of Representatives wing of the state capitol in Cheyenne, a blue flower that looks suspiciously like the Fringed Gentian, figures prominently in the design. 

I had been told by a tour guide many years ago that this stained glass ceiling had been commissioned and installed prior to 1917- which is when the Senate and House Chambers additions were finished in full, and . . . before the Indian Paintbrush was formally adopted as our state flower.

https://sites.google.com/a/wyo.gov/capitol-page/
Ceiling in Capitol Bldg

 

 

 

Picture to the right from:

https://sites.google.com/a/wyo.gov/capitol-page/capitol-history/information

I wonder how  many other states have behind the scenes stories of how their state symbols came about as well...


Pictures above used with permission granted on the site on which they were found:

Fringed Gention Picture by Robert H. Mohlenbrock @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / USDA SCS. 1989. Midwest wetland flora: Field office illustrated guide to plant species. Midwest National Technical Center, Lincoln.

Indian Paintbrush Picture by Cassondra Skinner @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

 

Posted by

Brenda Whitman, Broker/Co-owner                                                Office Phone: 307.460.3298

Live in Laramie Real Estate                                                                Cell Phone: 307.399.5477

302 S 2nd Street, Suite 206                                                      E-mail: brenda@liveinlaramie.com

Laramie, Wyoming  82070                                                       Office Website:  www.liveinlaramie.com

Comments (6)

Kristin Hamilton CA REALTOR
Berkshire Hathaway California Realty - Beaumont, CA
(909) 557-6966- Specialize 55+ Communties Banning
Hi Brenda,

I like your article about the Indian Paintbrush especially the date as my dad was born in Tennessee on Jan 18, 1917. This is something that occurred another place in the US a week and a half after his birth. Thanks for sharing.
Nov 14, 2012 01:03 PM
Tony & Darcy Cannon
Aubrey and Associates Realty - Layton, UT
The C Team

Brenda, I am glad that I am not the only one that finds posts like yours interesting!  I had no idea what Wyomings State Flower was.  The Indian Paint Brush is a lovely choice in spite of any controversy!

Nov 14, 2012 05:45 PM
Brenda Whitman, Live in Laramie Real Estate
Live in Laramie Real Estate, Laramie, Wyoming - Laramie, WY
Broker/Co-Owner, Laramie, Wyoming

What a fun little tidbit, Kristin...

Thanks, Tony.  I always thought they were kind of pretty and they don't look like a weed to me....

Nov 15, 2012 01:59 AM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hey Brenda,  I guess I should of known what the state flower was in Wyoming, but never did.  Thanks

Nov 15, 2012 06:32 AM
Brenda Whitman, Live in Laramie Real Estate
Live in Laramie Real Estate, Laramie, Wyoming - Laramie, WY
Broker/Co-Owner, Laramie, Wyoming

Hi Will, An obscure little known flower for sure.... isn't Colorado the Columbine?

Nov 16, 2012 02:48 AM
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

How interesting! Thanks for sharing. 

Our state flower, in CA, is poppy. 

Apr 29, 2017 11:48 PM