The magnolia is the official state flower of Mississippi — the large, fragrant, creamy-white bloom that gives the “Magnolia State” its name.

• Official flower: Magnolia
• Scientific name: Magnolia grandiflora
• Year adopted: 1952
• Native range: the southeastern U.S.

About the magnolia

Mississippi’s schoolchildren chose the magnolia as far back as 1900, and it was formally adopted as the state flower in 1952. The southern magnolia’s saucer-sized white flowers and glossy evergreen leaves are emblems of the Deep South.

Where it grows

The southern magnolia is native to the southeastern United States and grows across Mississippi, flowering from late spring through summer.

Mississippi state flower FAQs

What is the state flower of Mississippi?

Mississippi’s state flower is the magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), which it adopted in 1952.

When did Mississippi adopt its state flower?

Mississippi designated the magnolia as its official state flower in 1952.

Why is Mississippi the Magnolia State?

The southern magnolia is so abundant and beloved in Mississippi that it became both the state’s nickname and, officially in 1952, its state flower.

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