This fragrant flower is found in central and south Florida. The 1953 Legislature designated the sabal palm our state tree. The sabal palm grows in any kind of soil and is found throughout the state. State Bird Florida's state bird is the mockingbird. State Animal Students throughout the state of Florida voted the panther our state animal in 1982.
Panthers are pale brown and black cats who play a large part in our wildlife ecosystem.
They have been on the federal endangered species list since 1967 and on the state endangered list since 1973. Panthers have been protected from legal hunting in Florida since 1958. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is responsible for the management and preservation of the panther. The zebra longwing became the state butterfly in 1996. It is common in South Florida, especially in the Everglades National Park.