U.S. Department of the Interior. The Department of the Interior manages public lands and minerals, national parks, and wildlife refuges and upholds Federal trust responsibilities to Indian tribes and Native Alaskans. Additionally, Interior is responsible for endangered species conservation and other environmental conservation efforts.
Acquired November 13, 2002, this false-color image shows part of the Ouachita Mountains in southeastern Oklahoma. Acquired November 13, 2002, this false-color image shows part of the Ouachita Mountains in southeastern Oklahoma.
When it comes to floral symbols, just one flower is not enough for the people of Oklahoma! The Sooner state was already represented by two plants when lawmakers added a third because the others were considered not âcultivatedâ enough. One, the Indian Blanket, is a wildflower. The other, Mistletoe, is a parasite. So when more than 180 gardening clubs lobbied to add the Oklahoma Rose as a third, lawmakers acquiesced. It became the official Oklahoma state flower in 2004. Today, the Oklahoma Rose is a darling of gardening clubs throughout the state from Tulsa to Lawton. In the crowded world of hybrid Roses and the like, the Oklahoma state flower stands out because of its fragrance and beauty.