Carnation - Ohio

The Ohio state flag is the only American state flag not rectangular in shape. The swallowtail design was used during the 1901 Pan-American Exposition. It was officially adopted as the state flag in 1902. Ohio had existed for almost 100 years since achieving statehood without an officially recognized banner.

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Dianthus caryophyllus - The genus Dianthus contains about 300 flowering plants noted for their strong fragrance. The carnation originated in Southern Europe and has been cultivated for over 2,000 years. The natural color of the carnation is a dark pinkish color, but the flower is now available in most colors. It is a tall perennial plant growing from 30 to 90 centimeters in height. The carnation has both staminate and carpellate, the male and female organs necessary for the process of self-fertilization.

Shoreline Purslane - Cocos Islands

The Cocos Islands and Christmas Island are two properties making up the Australian Indian Ocean Territories. The Cocos Islands, also known as the Keeling Islands, have been administrated by Australia since 1955. The archipelago consists of two atolls with about 25 islands; only two of the islands are inhabited. 

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Sesuvium portulacastrum - Shoreline purslane is a perennial herb commonly found growing throughout the sandy shores of the world. It can thrive in nutrient poor soils and areas subjected to regular salt water flooding. Considered an invasive species in some regions, this plant serves as a soil stabilizer in areas void of other vegetation. The fleshy leaves, although salty, are edible and provide a rich source of vitamin C. The plant remains in bloom year round, but the five-petal flowers, light purple, pink, and white, are not large or conspicuous.