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What Is Alabama State Fruit?

What Is Alabama State Fruit
Blackberry The Official Fruit of the State: Blackberries Blackberries are recognized as the official state fruit of Alabama.

What is state tree and flower of Alabama?

State Symbols, State Songs, and State Emblems of Alabama

Designation Symbol / Emblem Adopted
Spirit Conecuh Ridge Alabama Fine Whiskey 2004
Tree Southern Longleaf Pine (Pinus palustris Miller) 1949
Tree fruit Peach 2006
Wildflower Oak-leaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia Bartram) 1999

Are blackberries native to Alabama?

Alabama’s practices of growing and collecting berries – Berry season has arrived in Alabama, making now the ideal time to take advantage of the nutritious, all-natural, and delicious properties of berries cultivated in the state. It is possible to get them from roadside stalls, U-pick operations, or farmer’s markets; to gather them from the wild; or to cultivate them in your own garden.

  • These are just some of the many available possibilities.
  • According to the online version of Merriam-dictionary, Webster’s a berry is any “pulpy and typically edible fruit of small size irrespective of its structure.” The definition goes on to state that, strictly speaking, grapes, tomatoes, cucumbers, and even bananas are all “berries.” However, when most of us hear the term “berry,” we immediately think of Alabama’s three most popular berries, all of which are native to the state: strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries.

On the other hand, there are a variety of additional berries to take into consideration, both in the wild and for our gardens. Let’s begin with some outlandish possibilities. Mock and true strawberries are both edible, but the true ones actually taste better than the mock ones.

  1. Elderberry and mulberry are two other types of berries that can be found growing wild in Alabama.
  2. The blackberry has been designated as the official state fruit of Alabama and tends to have a growth habit that is more upright and arching than other wild bramble berries (shrubs or small trees with fruit that should only be eaten if ripe).

In principle, all of them are free for the taking (as long as you don’t break any laws in the process of collecting them); nonetheless, you should never consume any wild-harvested fruits or plants of any kind that you are unable to identify. Always use a field guide to ensure that you are picking and eating the safe ones.

A quick reference guide can be found at http://cf.ltkcdn.net/herbs/files/1336-Wild-Berry-Identification.pdf. Some can cause stomach upsets while others are extremely poisonous to humans. Some can cause stomach upsets while others are extremely poisonous to humans. When possible, steer clear of selecting berries or any other wild foods along the sides of roadways where pesticides may have been sprayed.

Additionally, when picking berries, keep an eye out for potential dangers to your health and well-being. Berry patches are home to a number of dangerous plants and animals, including poison ivy, venomous snakes, ticks, and chiggers. There may even be black bears in the area, which will not like having to share their food supplies.

Plant some of your own berries if you want to have a more manageable setting for picking berries and if you want to take advantage of domesticated varieties that have additional benefits (such as being thornless), such as in this case. Not only can you utilize berry plants as attractive ornamentals, but the majority of berry plants begin producing fruit after the first year and require only a little amount of maintenance if they are grown in full sun and on soil with enough drainage.

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A few important disclaimers: Before planting, it is highly recommended that you invest in a soil test to ensure that you are providing your berries with the appropriate soil nutrients and pH balance. Since some berries, such as blueberries, need at least two different varieties that bloom at different times to achieve proper pollination, it is possible that you will need to plant more than one bush in order to achieve good fruit development and yields.

When you plant berries in your own yard, you also have the opportunity to experiment with non-native species. Some examples of these include tayberries, boysenberries, loganberries, Goji berries (also known as Chinese wolfberries), Juneberries (also known as serviceberries), Chinese mulberries (also known as silkworm trees), raspberries, gooseberries, and currants.

There is a wide variety of plant kinds and cultivars available today that are better suited to the environmental circumstances under which we produce plants. Even if these plants are unable to thrive in the ground, they may thrive brilliantly in containers.

  • If you choose plants that are suited to Alabama’s USDA Plant Hardiness Zones and purchase those plants from reliable local nurseries or regional mail-order firms, you should be able to increase your berry selections with a fair amount of ease, regardless of the sorts of berries you plant.
  • After that, the most difficult challenge you are likely to face is preventing wild animals from devouring the berries before you can get to them.

This indicates that you will need to either safeguard them or, what the heck, just go ahead and grow enough food for everyone. You, along with the environment around you, will be nourished by what you produce. If you want to learn more about growing berries, you can seek advice from local or regional specialty plant nurseries, check with your local Alabama Cooperative Extension System office or Master Gardener organization, or ask local home gardeners or farmers market growers for suggestions.

What represents Alabama?

Species

Type Symbol Year
Horse Racking Horse Equus caballus 1975
Freshwater fish Largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides 1975
Game bird Wild turkey Meleagris gallopavo 1980
Nut Pecan Carya illinoinensis 1982

What is Alabama’s state nut?

Pecans have been designated as Alabama’s official state nut since 1982, when the state’s legislature made the decision to do so. As if the people of Alabama needed an additional reason to enjoy this flavorful treat, pecans can be baked into pies, tossed with salt and roasted in the oven, added to cookies, included in salads, and used as a topping for meats and vegetables.

Pecan farmers and shops are plentiful in Alabama, therefore it is important to support the state’s economy by shopping locally when possible. According to the Alabama Pecan Growers Association, not only do pecans have a scrumptious flavor, but they are also a wonderful source of protein and natural antioxidants (APGA).

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Studies have indicated that include a handful of pecans in a diet that is low in fat and designed to decrease cholesterol can have a significant influence on the effectiveness of the diet. A diet high in pecans has been proven in certain studies to help reduce levels of LDL, sometimes known as “bad” cholesterol.

What is Alabama’s state reptile?

Photo by Bill Summerour, courtesy of the Weeks Bay Reserve Foundation; see http://www.weeksbay.org for more information. SCIENTIFIC NAME: Pseudemys alabamensis Other common names for this species are red-bellied turtle, red-belly, cooter, and slider. STATUS: Endangered.

  • The Alabama Legislature has declared this animal to be the official state reptile.
  • The United States Fish and Wildlife Service has designated this species as endangered.
  • HIGHEST CONSERVATION CONCERN.
  • DESCRIPTION: Length equal to or slightly less than one foot Carapaces (the top shell) of females can reach a length of 15 inches, making them somewhat bigger than males.

The hue of the carapace can range from greenish to dark brown or even black, and it often has yellowish, orangey, or reddish patterns running vertically down the sides. The plastron, also known as the under shell, can range in color from light yellow to red and may or may not have black patterns.

Young turtles typically have more vibrant colors and patterns than older turtles. Yellowish stripes may be seen on the head, throat, and legs of the animal. Fore claws on males are longer than those on females. The pronounced notch at the top of the upper jaw, which is flanked on either side by a tooth-like cusp, is one of the distinctive characteristics of this species.

DISTRIBUTION The range of this species is confined to the delta of the Mobile and Tensaw rivers in Mobile and Baldwin counties, which are near to Mobile Bay. They are only sometimes discovered to the north of Interstate 65. Systematic sampling of significant tributaries in coastal Alabama revealed that they are found in important rivers and tributaries of the Mobile Bay, Bayou La Batre, Fowl, Dog, Fish, Magnolia, and Bon Secour rivers.

Additionally, they were discovered in major tributaries of the Bon Secour and Fowl rivers. Additionally, specimens have been gathered from Daphne and Point Clear in the state of Alabama. HABITAT: Found in the shallow, vegetated backwaters of freshwater streams, rivers, bays, and bayous that are either in or adjacent to Mobile Bay.

It would appear that they like environments that have soft bottoms and vast beds of submergent aquatic macrophytes. Feeds BEHAVIORS: Herbaceous (only consumes vegetative materials), feeding on submergent aquatic macrophytes including hydrilla, brushy pondweed, eel-grass, arrowhead, and mud plantain.

Also known as mud plantain. LIFE HISTORY AND ECOLOGY: There is a surge in nesting activity during the month of July. When it comes time to lay their eggs, female turtles will leave the watery habitat they were born in. The majority of the nests may be found in openings or regions with sparse vegetation that are located close to levees, river banks, or dredge waste sites.

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In soil that is often sandy, a small nest is excavated, and anywhere from four to nine eggs are laid in it. It’s possible for the young to hatch in the fall (September to November) or to hibernate until spring (March to April). Fish crows and raccoons are the primary predators of the nests, although alligators and people are among the most important threats to the adult turtles.

  • As a result of being attacked by alligators, the shells of many adult turtles are marred by teeth marks.
  • In addition, there have been reports of finding fire ants inside of some of the nest chambers.
  • There is a good chance that larger fish, snakes, wading birds, and animals also feed on the young.
  • A significant portion of the red-bellied turtle’s time is spent either feeding in the surrounding vegetation or sunbathing on logs.

They are quite watchful while basking and will rapidly dive under the water if they are disturbed. The Alabama red-bellied turtle is officially recognized as the state reptile of Alabama. REFERENCES: Mirarchi, Ralph E., et al., 2004. Amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals that are in danger are covered in Alabama Wildlife Volume Three.

Does elderberry grow in Alabama?

Surprisingly, only ten percent of the elderberries that are consumed in the United States are actually cultivated in the country, while the remaining ninety percent are grown in Europe. That’s right: ninety percent of our elderberries come from Europe, despite the fact that these berries may be found growing wild in Alabama.

What fruit is Georgia known for?

Peaches, specifically peach ice cream from Georgia The peach, with its unique characteristics, is in a class all its own. Since the late 1500s, this region has been ideal for the growth of the state’s signature fruit. Fresh Georgia peaches are readily accessible from May through August, and there is never a shortage of this delicious fruit in the state.

  1. Over the course of more than a century, Lane Southern Orchards has been cultivating and canning peaches at their location in Fort Valley.
  2. Orchard tours provide guests with the opportunity to get the most out of their peach experience (on a replica of the first Blue Bird school bus).
  3. Another must-see location in Georgia is Dickey Farms near Musella, which is home to the state’s oldest peach packing house that is still in operation.

Visitors may not only see the busy peach packing operation, but they can also purchase in the retail store, which carries a variety of peach-flavored products, including jams, relishes, salsas, and, of course, fresh peaches. Peach ice cream, peach lemonade, peach cookbooks, peach candles, and even peach soap can be found at the Lawson Peach Shed, which is located in the town of Morven in the southern part of the state of Georgia.