Natural History Wanderings

Below is a list of California State Emblems relating to Natural History:

•  The golden poppy (Eschscholtzia) is the official State Flower. April 6 of each year is hereby designated California Poppy Day.
•  The California redwood (Sequoia sempervirens, Sequoia gigantea) is the official state tree.
• The California desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) is the official state reptile.
• The Pacific leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) is the official state marine reptile.
• The California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii) is the official state amphibian.
• The California valley quail (Lophortyx californica) is the official bird and avifaunal emblem of the State.
• The California dog-face butterfly (Zerene eurydice) is the official State Insect.
• The state animal is the California Grizzly Bear (Ursus Californicus). extinct in California today.
• Native gold is the official State Mineral and mineralogic emblem.
• Serpentine is the official State Rock and lithologic emblem.
• Benitoite is the official state gemstone.
• The California gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) is the official State Marine Mammal.
• The garibaldi (Hypsypops rubicundus) is the official state marine fish.
•  The saber-toothed cat (Smilodon californicus) is the official State Fossil.
• The Chipped Stone Bear (bear-shaped eccentric) is the official state prehistoric artifact.
• Purple needlegrass, or Nassella pulchra, is the official State Grass.

See list of all state symbols at  http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?lawCode=GOV&division=2.&title=1.&part=&chapter=2.&article=