The mayflower, or trailing arbutus, is the official state flower of Massachusetts — a low, fragrant early-spring bloom of pink and white.

• Official flower: Mayflower
• Scientific name: Epigaea repens
• Year adopted: 1918
• Native range: eastern North America

About the mayflower

Massachusetts adopted the mayflower in 1918. Also called ground laurel, the trailing plant hugs the forest floor and opens sweet-scented clusters of pink-and-white flowers in early spring. It is tied by tradition to the Pilgrims, said to be among the first blooms they saw in the New World.

Where it grows

The mayflower grows in sandy or rocky woodlands across eastern North America, including Massachusetts, blooming in early spring. It is protected in the state due to past over-picking.

Massachusetts state flower FAQs

What is the state flower of Massachusetts?

Massachusetts’s state flower is the mayflower (Epigaea repens), which it adopted in 1918.

When did Massachusetts adopt its state flower?

Massachusetts designated the mayflower as its official state flower in 1918.

Is the mayflower protected in Massachusetts?

Yes. Because it was once heavily over-picked and became scarce, the mayflower is a protected plant in Massachusetts.

Explore more

See the state flowers of all 50 states, discover national flowers, or find your birth flower.