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Wednesday, November 11, 2026Nov 11

Tennessee’s best plant life up for debate

University of Tennessee plant scientists are working on a project to list the 10 plants that have most influenced the state. The list will form the basis of K-5 curricula across several subjects, including biology and history.
University of Tennessee plant scientists are working on a project to list the 10 plants that have most influenced the state. The list will form the basis of K-5 curricula across several subjects, including biology and history. University of Tennessee plant scientists are working on a project to list the 10 plants that have most influenced the state. The list will form the basis of K-5 curricula across several subjects, including biology and history.

Florida oranges. Georgia peaches. Tennessee … um …

Can you fill in the blank?

Soybeans, maybe? Irises? Kudzu?

Researchers with the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture are looking to the public for answers about the plants that most represent Tennessee.

How to participate

› Go to the website tenplants.tennessee.edu by July 31.› Answer three questions: the name of the plant, type of benefit (one of six categories) and any thoughts you have on how the plant has changed Tennessee.› Fill in your email address if you wish to be kept up-to-date on the project.› Click submit.