Wild roses are found throughout both states along roadsides, in pastures, and in native meadows.
They bloom from June through late summer.
The flower, in varying shades of pink, is set off by many yellow stamens in the center.
The 26th Iowa General Assembly designated the wild rose as the official state flower in 1897.
It was chosen for the honor because it was one of the decorations used on the silver service which the state presented to the battleship USS Iowa that same year.
Although no particular species of the flower was designated by the General Assembly, the wild prairie rose is most often cited as the official flower.
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