Michigan state symbols
Michigan’s state bird is the American robin, its state flower the apple blossom, its state tree the white pine and its motto “Si quaeris peninsulam amoenam circumspice” (“If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you”).
How to read it
The Legislature named the apple blossom in a joint resolution of 1897 and the white pine (Pinus strobus) in Public Act 7 of 1955; both are now in the Michigan Compiled Laws, sections 2.11 and 2.31. The robin rests on House Concurrent Resolution 30 of 1931, passed after an election run by the Michigan Audubon Society in which nearly 200,000 votes were cast. The motto is on the great seal Lewis Cass presented to the constitutional convention, adopted on 2 June 1835, and its device and inscriptions became the state coat of arms by law in 1911. The State of Michigan says the white pine was chosen for the lumber industry: Michigan led the nation in lumber production from 1870 to the early 1900s.
Also searched as: michigan state bird, michigan state flower, michigan state motto, michigan state symbols, michigan state tree.
Michigan’s symbols and when each was adopted
| Symbol | Official choice | Adopted | Law |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bird | American robin (Turdus migratorius) | 1931 | House Concurrent Resolution 30 of 1931 |
| Flower | Apple blossom | 1897 | MCL 2.11 (Joint Resolution 10 of 1897) |
| Tree | White pine (Pinus strobus) | 1955 | MCL 2.31 (Public Act 7 of 1955) |
| Motto | Si quaeris peninsulam amoenam circumspice | 1835 | On the great seal; coat of arms, MCL 2.21 |
| Wildflower | Dwarf lake iris | 1998 | Public Act 454 of 1998 |
| Stone | Petoskey stone | 1965 | Public Act 89 of 1965 |
Which apple blossom?
The 1897 resolution names “the apple blossom” in general, and mentions the native crabapple Pyrus coronaria only as one of the most fragrant species. The State of Michigan’s own symbols page names the sweet crabapple, Malus coronaria (formerly Pyrus coronaria). The dwarf lake iris, the state wildflower since 1998, is a separate symbol.
The robin has been challenged
House Bill 4518 of 2001 proposed repealing the 1931 resolution and making the black-capped chickadee, already the state bird of Massachusetts state symbols, Michigan’s bird instead. The State of Michigan still names the American robin.
Read next
- Next in US state symbolsMinnesota state symbolsMinnesota’s state bird is the common loon, its state flower the pink and white lady slipper, its state tree the red pine (also called Norway pine) and its motto “L’Étoile du Nord” (“Star of the North”).
- The same shape in Phone status iconsAndroid status iconsIcons on the right of the Android status bar show signal, Wi-Fi, battery and modes; icons on the left are notifications from apps. A green indicator at the top right means an app is using the camera or microphone.
More US state symbols
The same shape elsewhere
Browse symbols drawn with curves and waves.
Sources
- Michigan Compiled Laws, section 2.11 (state flower), Michigan Compiled Laws § 2.11, State flower (1897 Joint Resolution 10), Michigan Legislature, MCL 2.11 and history line
- Michigan Compiled Laws, section 2.31 (state tree), Michigan Compiled Laws § 2.31, State tree (1955 Public Act 7), Michigan Legislature, MCL 2.31 and history line
- Michigan Compiled Laws, section 2.21 (coat of arms), Michigan Compiled Laws § 2.21, State coat-of-arms; adoption (1911 Public Act 209), Michigan Legislature, MCL 2.21
- House Bill 4518 of 2001, House Fiscal Agency summary, House Bill 4518 (7-13-01): Select state bird, summary as introduced 3-22-01, Michigan House of Representatives (nonpartisan House staff), Summary
- State facts and symbols (State of Michigan), State Facts and Symbols, About Michigan, michigan.gov, State of Michigan, State Motto; Great Seal; State Bird; State Flower; State Tree
- Getting to Know Michigan (Michigan Legislature), Getting to Know Michigan, booklet prepared by the Michigan Legislature, Michigan Legislature, State Stone; State Flower; State Wildflower; State Bird; State Tree
Researched, edited and approved by Rory Hansen before publishing. Last reviewed October 9, 2026. How we research
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