STATE BEVERAGE
MILK
Milk was designated as the official State Beverage by Act Number 360 of 1984. The General Assembly found that dairy farmers are found in almost every county in the State, and the dairy industry is a one hundred million dollar enterprise for the State.
STATE FLOWER
YELLOW JESSAMINE
The Yellow Jessamine was adopted by the General Assembly as the official State Flower on February 1, 1924. The Yellow Jessamine is indigenous to every part of the State. It is a climbing woody vine with evergreen leaves and blooms small, yellow, tubular, fragrant clusters.
STATE PICNIC CUISINE
BARBECUE
Barbecue was designated as the official State Picnic Cuisine by Act Number 231 of 2014. South Carolina is "The Birthplace of Barbecue". Barbecue's roots can be traced to the 1500's when Spanish explorers first brought pigs to the New World and Native Americans taught them how to cook the whole pig over low, indirect heat. South Carolina's "BBQ Trail" explores the love of barbecue throughout the state.
STATE FRUIT
PEACH
The Peach was designated as the official State Fruit by Act Number 360 of 1984. South Carolina grows over thirty varieties of peaches and ranks second in fresh peach production in the United States behind California. Peaches have been commercially grown in South Carolina since the 1860's.
STATE TREE
PALMETTO TREE
The Palmetto Tree was designated as the official State Tree by Joint Resolution Number 63 on March 17, 1939. The Palmetto was symbolical of the defeat of the British fleet at Fort Moultrie on Sullivan’s Island. The fort was built of Palmetto logs, which absorbed the impact of the cannon balls.
The South Carolina Palmetto is classified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as "Inodes Palmetto (also called Sabal Palmetto) and commonly known as the Cabbage Palmetto."
STATE WILDFLOWER
GOLDENROD
Goldenrod was designated as the official State Wildflower by Act Number 31 of 2003, as a result of efforts by the State Wildflower Chairman for the Garden Club of South Carolina. Goldenrod is a hardy plant having a bright yellow flower that blooms in late summer and early fall. It is found throughout the State in fields, meadows, and along roadsides.
STATE GRASS
INDIAN GRASS
Indian Grass was designated as the official State Grass by Act Number 94 of 2001. It is a native, perennial, warm-season grass that grows 3 to 5 feet tall.
STATE HOSPITALITY BEVERAGE
TEA
Tea was designated as the official State Hospitality Beverage by Act Number 31 of 1995. South Carolina was the first state to grow tea in the United States. Tea continues to be produced at the Charleston Tea Plantation on Wadmalaw Island, South Carolina from plants descended from some of the original South Carolina plants.
STATE SNACK
BOILED PEANUT
The Boiled Peanut, was designated as the official State Snack by Act Number 270 of 2006. South Carolinians began boiling peanuts in the 1800's, making use of any surplus peanuts after the crops were harvested and sold. Boiled peanuts are a snack that can be found throughout South Carolina at roadside stands, festivals, produce stands and stores.
STATE VEGETABLE
COLLARD GREENS
Collard greens were designated as the official State Vegetable by Act Number 38 of 2011, as a result of efforts by Mary Grace Wingard, a third grader from Lexington, South Carolina. South Carolina ranks second in the nation in collard green production and Lexington County ranks first among counties in South Carolina in collard green production.