What is the Missouri state flower?

In 1923, the state of Missouri declared Crataegus punctata, or the white Hawthorne blossom, as its official state flower. The white hawthorn blossom and over 75 other species of hawthorn are native to Missouri, particularly in the southernmost regions among the Ozark Mountains.

Hawthorn is part of the rose family and grows in heavily wooded areas. The plant itself grows up to 20 feet high, and the blossoms sprout in bunches or clusters. Hawthorns produce minute pome fruit that home cooks often make into jam. Though the fruit is closer in size to a blueberry, it is more similar in other ways to an apple.