This all inclusive book explains the history behind our nation's selection of its flowers and trees. The stories are rich with political intrigues, legends, deception, botanical history, war and conquest, and humor, which makes each state's adoption a unique tale. For over a century, each state has adopted a flower and tree as symbols for its state and its people; in fact, some states have chosen several representatives. All state trees, except Hawaii's, are native to the state they represent. However, that is not the case with the state flowers as many of them are from other parts of the world. Whether legislators adopted them for the importance to their state's history, economy, or natives rare or common within the state, these symbols are highly honored by Americans. But, if the legislator's choices were simple, there would not be a need for this book, as their selections were extremely colorful as the flowers and grand as the trees.