Florida State Symbols

State Animal:  Panther

State Marine Mammal:  Manatee

State Saltwater Mammal:  Porpoise

State Freshwater Fish:  Largemouth Bass

State Saltwater Fish:  Sailfish

State Butterfly:  Zebra Longwing

State Reptile:  Alligator

State Flower:  Orange Blossom

State Wildflower:  Coreopsis

State Tree:  Sabal Palmetto Palm

State Stone:  Agatized Coral

State Shell:  Horse Conch    

State Gemstone:  Moonstone

State Beverage:  Orange Juice

State Play:  "Cross and Sword" written by Paul Green

State Song:  "The Swanee River (Old Folks at Home)" written by Stephen C. Foster

Motto:  In God we trust

Origin of State Name:  The Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León called the region La Florida, roughly translated as Land of the Flowers, when he visited it in 1513.

Nickname for State:  The Sunshine State.  The state nickname reflects the economic importance of its climate, which has been called its most important natural resource.

Nickname for residents:  Floridians