Many nations are represented by flowers, birds or other symbols of nature. Some of these national symbols have been officially adopted. Others are simply recognized by tradition.
The United States’ best known symbolic species is its national bird, the bald eagle. It is actually used more as a symbol of state than as a symbol of nature.
More recently, the U.S. adopted an official flower and tree, the rose and oak. There have also been efforts to adopt a national insect. The most popular candidates have been the native monarch butterfly and the introduced honeybee.
This topic is not featured on the original Ben’s Guide.
The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism - 
