Official flower of two Southern states (8)
I believe the answer is:
magnolia
'official flower of two southern states' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for magnolia that I've seen before include "Spring-flowering shrub" , "Main gaol (anag)" , "tree blossoms" , "Creamy white, shrub" , "Early-blooming tree; off-white colour" .)