Idaho State Vegetable

The Potato, (Solanum tuberosum Linnaeus,) was adopted on July 01, 2002 as the Idaho State Vegetable.

Idaho's unique environment provides nearly perfect growing conditions for potatoes. The soil, water, clean air and climate in Idaho contribute to those consistently high-quality potatoes that have made Idaho famous for so many years. Idaho's rich volcanic soil is ideally suited for potatoes. Warm, sunny days, cool nights and water from melting snow in nearby mountains make the perfect combination for growing the world's best potatoes.

Idaho State Vegetable: Potato

The potato is a starchy, tuberous crop from the perennial nightshade Solanum tuberosum L. The word "potato" may refer either to the plant itself or the edible tuber. In the Andes, where the species is indigenous, there are some other closely related cultivated potato species. Potatoes were introduced outside the Andes region approximately four centuries ago, and have since become an integral part of much of the world's food supply. It is the world's fourth-largest food crop, following maize, wheat, and rice

Scientific Name

Solanum, the first part of the scientific name for potato, is the genus. It comes from the classical Latin name for this large and varied group that includes bittersweet, nightshade, potato, and Jerusalem cherry. In fact, the genus name is often based on the original Latin or Greek name for the plant. It also may be derived from a number of other sources, including the name of a botanist or an anagram. The name of the genus is written in italics.

The specific epithet is "tuberosum." It should almost always be in lower case; occasionally, if it is a proper noun (for example, someone's name), it can have an initial capital letter (this is optional under the code). The specific epithet is usually an adjective that modifies the genus. In this case, tuberosum indicates that potato is a tuberous species in the genus Solanum. Like the genus, the species is always written in italics.

"Linnaeus" refers to the author of the scientific name for potato. In other words, Linnaeus was the first person to use the binomial Solanum tuberosum for the potato plant.

KEMPTHORNE MAKES IT OFFICIAL: THE POTATO IS THE IDAHO STATE VEGETABLE

(BOISE) For a state known for its world-famous potatoes, Idaho had never designated the spud as the official state vegetable. Governor Dirk Kempthorne on Monday changed that.

With Grand View Elementary School fourth graders gathered in the Governor's office, Kempthorne signed into law House Bill 525, making the potato the state vegetable. The students came up with the idea for the bill, and encouraged fourth graders across the state to write to their legislators, pushing for the bill.

"The Idaho potato is world famous. Everywhere you travel in the world, if you say 'Idaho,' people know about potatoes, yet here at home it was not the state vegetable," Kempthorne said.

"You have now seen firsthand that individuals that have a good idea can make a big difference," Kempthorne said. "Here we had a group of fourth graders who had an idea - they had a dream. They realized that they're very important. They received the respect of adults they worked with and their legislative delegation. Today they're in the office so we can take what was their idea and make it a reality, so that Idaho's official vegetable will be the potato."

The students sang several potato-inspired songs to the Governor and ended their medley by singing the state song, "Here We Have Idaho."

"I'm very impressed with all of you, and encourage you to remember this as a good example that you can make positive things happen. A lot of children around the state joined you in this effort. You did it in a positive way. You did it as ladies and gentlemen," Kempthorne told the students.

Idaho House BillL No. 525

TITLE 67
STATE GOVERNMENT AND STATE AFFAIRS
CHAPTER 45
67-4511. STATE VEGETABLE DESIGNATED. The potato is hereby designated and declared to be the state vegetable of the state of Idaho.

LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF IDAHO
Fifty-sixth Legislature Second Regular Session - 2002

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
HOUSE BILL NO. 525
BY AGRICULTURAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

AN ACT RELATING TO DESIGNATION OF THE STATE VEGETABLE; AMENDING THE HEADING FOR CHAPTER 45, TITLE 67, IDAHO CODE; AMENDING CHAPTER 45, TITLE 67, IDAHO CODE, BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION 67-4511, IDAHO CODE, TO DESIGNATE THE
POTATO AS THE STATE VEGETABLE.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Idaho:

SECTION 1. That the Heading for Chapter 45, Title 67, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby amended to read as follows:

CHAPTER 45
STATE BIRD, STATE FLOWER, STATE GEM, STATE HORSE, STATE SONG, STATE TREE, STATE FOSSIL, STATE INSECT, STATE FRUIT, STATE VEGETABLE AND STATE FISH

SECTION 2. That Chapter 45, Title 67, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby amended by the addition thereto of a NEW SECTION, to be known and designated as Section 67-4511, Idaho Code, and to read as follows:

67-4511. STATE VEGETABLE DESIGNATED. The potato is hereby designated and declared to be the state vegetable of the state of Idaho.

Kingdom: Plantae – Plants
    Subkingdom: Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
Superdivision: Spermatophyta – Seed plants
    Division: Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
Class: Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons
    Subclass: Asteridae
Order: Solanales
Family: Solanaceae – Potato family
Genus: Solanum L. – nightshade
Species: Solanum tuberosum L. – Irish potato

Idaho State

State Foods

Idaho Symbols

Idaho State Vegetable

Potato

(Solanum tuberosum Linnaeus)

Adopted on July 01, 2002.