State
Bird
Carolina Wren
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The
Carolina wren is about 5 and ½ inches tall. It has a rusty brown
colored crown and body. The chin, throat, and lower cheeks are white.
It is found in many southeastern states, but it can survive further
north if the weather is mild. Carolina wrens eat insects, spiders,
and tree frogs. It makes a three-syllable chirping sound. South
Carolina adopted the Carolina wren as its state bird in 1948.
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State
Flower
Yellow Jessamine
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The Yellow Jessamine was adopted as the state flower of South Carolina
in 1924. This flower can be found all over South Carolina and throughout
many southeastern states. It is a climbing plant with shiny green
leaves. It is also called an evergreen vine. The Jessamine makes
a small yellow flower that blooms early in the spring. The flower
is about one inch in diameter and smells almost like Jasmine.
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State
Tree
Palmetto
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The Palmetto is a type of palm tree with fan-shaped leaves. Palmetto
trees grow along the coast of South Carolina and are very important
to South Carolina's history. On Sullivans's Island Fort Moultrie
was built with Palmetto logs during the Revolutionary
War. American soldiers successfully defended this fort during
the Revolutionary War. Today,
the leafbud of the Palmetto is very popular as a salad vegetable
and is used for making pickles and relishes. The leaf bases can
be
used to make fibers. South Carolina adopted the Palmetto as its
state tree in 1939.
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State
Flag
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on flag to view
larger image.
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Colonel
William Moultrie designed the first flag for South Carolina in 1775
during the Revolutionary War. The color
matched the soldiers' blue uniforms. He put on it a silver crescent,
or new moon, which they also wore on their caps. A year later a
Palmetto tree was added. This tree is a symbol of South Carolina's
success in defending Sullivan's Island during the Revolutionary
War. The troops built a fort with tough, soft logs from Palmetto
trees growing in the area. When the British warships fired cannonballs,
they sunk into the wood but did not destroy the fort. This was an
important victory for South Carolina's troops during the Revolutionary
War. This flag was adopted in 1861.
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