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Symbol | Official Item

Tennessee Cave Salamander

Official State Amphibian of Tennessee

The Tennessee cave salamander was designated the official state amphibian of Tennessee in 1995. All State Amphibians

The Tennessee cave salamander has three red external gills, a broad, flat head with small lidless eyes, and a tail fin. Coloring ranges from nearly white to dark brown with spots. This large salamander (4 - 9" long) is usually found in limestone caves containing streams in central and southeast Tennessee.

Iris

Official State Cultivated Flower of Tennessee

In 1933 Tennessee recognized iris (genus Iridaceae) as the state flower without re-designating the existing state flower adopted in 1919 (passion flower), so legislation was passed in 1973 distinguishing the iris as the "state cultivated flower" and the passion flower as the "state wildflower" (a second wildflower was adopted in 2012; the Tennessee coneflower).

Passion Flower

Official State Wildflower of Tennessee

Tennessee recognized the exotic passion flower (Passiflora incarnata) as the official state flower in 1919 (chosen by the schoolchildren of Tennessee).