What is the South Australian emblem?

The state emblems of South Australia include Sturt's desert pea (Swainsona formosa) as floral emblem, the southern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus latifrons) as animal emblem, the piping shrike or magpie (Cracticus tibicen telonocua) as bird emblem, and the precious opal as gemstone emblem. The state coat of arms features a piping shrike with outstretched wings, surrounded by a rising sun.

Sturt's desert pea was proclaimed South Australia's floral emblem on 23 November 1961. The flower is a striking trailing plant with deep red blooms each marked by a glossy black centre, found across the arid country of central and northern Australia. It was named after the explorer Charles Sturt, who collected specimens in the 1840s during his expedition into the inland. The flower is one of the most recognisable Australian wildflowers and appears on the state's number plates and welcome signs.

The southern hairy-nosed wombat was adopted as the state animal in 1970. It lives in the dry country across the Nullarbor Plain and the Murraylands, builds elaborate burrow systems, and is one of three living wombat species. The piping shrike was added as bird emblem in 1976 and is the same bird that appears on the South Australian flag. The state's marine emblem is the leafy sea dragon, found in the cool kelp forests of the South Australian and southern Western Australian coast.

Opal became South Australia's gemstone emblem in 1985. The state produces about 80 per cent of the world's commercial opal supply, mostly from the Coober Pedy and Andamooka fields in the state's far north. Coober Pedy, founded in 1915, is famous for its underground homes (called dugouts) carved into the sandstone to escape the desert heat. South Australia is also the only state to use a flag derived from a state badge rather than a defaced Blue Ensign, with the piping shrike as its central element.