Flag

     The state seal of  South Dakota was adopted in 1885, four years before the state was admitted to the Union. It depicts the state's diversity of commerce and resources: farming, ranching, industries, lumbering, manufacturing and mining. It bears the motto: "Under God the People Rule." The state seal is in the center of the state flag, surrounded by a golden blazing sun in a field of sky blue. Letters reading "South Dakota, The Mount Rushmore State" are arranged in a circle around the sun. The flag was adopted in 1909. In 1992 the State legislature changed the wording on the flag from "The Sunshine State" to "The Rushmore State."

Pasque Flower

     The Pasque is the state flower. It takes its name for the French name for Easter. The scientific name is pulsatilla hirsutissima. The Lakota name is hosi cekpa, "childs navel." Other names for the flower are anemone, wind flower, American pulstilla, gosling plant, blue anemone, hartshorn plant, prairie crocus, blue tulip, wild crocus, prairie smoke, sand flower, rock lily, headache plant, Coventry bells, and May Day flower. It grows wild throughout the state, and its blooming is one of the first signs of spring in South Dakota. A member of the buttercup family, the Pasque is a small, lavender flower. It became the State flower on March 5,1903.

Pheasant

     The Chinese ring-necked pheasant is the state bird. It was introduced to South Dakota in 1898 and is easily recognized by its colorful plumage. It is also known for its delicious meat. Since it is primarily a Midwestern bird, pheasant is considered a delicacy in many other states. (The Pasque flower also appears on the stamp, which was issued in 1982.)