Episode 205
Natural Symbols of the State

Exploring North Carolina tries very hard to communicate to its viewers the state of North Carolina's natural wonders. It this episode, however, ENC will review the official "natural things of the State" as chosen by the North Carolina General Assembly.

Like most states North Carolina has a State Flag, State Song, State Seal, State Motto, State Nickname, and State Toast. We also have an official State Beverage (milk), State Dog (Plott Hound), State Vegetable (sweet potato), and a State Historical Boat (the shad boat).

Over the last 100 years our elected representatives have also chosen many natural symbols of North Carolina. Since ENC knows North Carolina from east to west, we believe that we are "naturally" suited to report on the choices made by our leaders. For example, we have a State Red Berry (strawberry) and State Blue Berry (the blueberry), a State Fruit (scuppernong grape) and a State Bird (cardinal). We also have a state insect (honey bee), state mammal (gray squirrel) and State Reptile (box turtle)

From here it gets confusing since we also have a state flower (dogwood) and state wildflower (the Carolina lily). There is also a state rock (granite) and a state stone (emerald). We have a State Fish (channel Bass) and an official Mountain Trout (Eastern Brook Trout.)