The State Rock/Gemstone

Oregon's state rock is the Thunderegg (center) and the state Gemstone is the Sunstone (outer edges).

It is thought that Thundereggs are made when gases are trapped inside really sticky, or viscous, lava. Once the lava has cooled, the chamber is filled in with agate or opal. These geodes can range in size of less than an inch to over 4 feet in diameter!! Average size is about the size of a baseball. You can find these throughout eastern Oregon but mainly near the John Day Formation.

This semi-precious stone, Sunstone or Heliote, is located as large crystals in basalt from 4 small localities in Oregon, all of which are privately owned except for one locality in Lake County on BLM lands.

The State Flower/Bird

Oregon's state flower is the Oregon Grape and the state bird is the Western Meadowlark.

Oregon Grape, Mahonia Nervosa or Mahonia aquifolium, was used by the Native Americans in many ways. They ate the fruit, often mixed with Salal berries, but not in any large quantities (great caution was used, because these are very potent). They also used the bark and roots to make a bright yellow dye for basket materials. The bark and berries were also used medicinally for liver, gall bladder and eye problems. Today the berries are used in jellies and in wines.

The Western Meadowlark loves the open grassland, savanna, and fields with brushy borders. They range from the western Canadian provinces south through the prairies of all western states and Mexico; spreading eastward into the Midwest.

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