Some weeks, I have a tough time figuring out what to write about for the Journal. Out of curiosity, I decided to take a look at the Georgia state symbols for this week’s article. State symbols are typically adopted after citizens of the state have made a concerted effort to have an item recognized for its significance in the region. Interestingly, Georgia has two different flowers that are specified as state symbols- one generic “flower” and one “wildflower.”
The Georgia state flower, designated in 1916 with help from the Georgia Federation of Women’s Clubs, is the Cherokee Rose (Rosa laevigata). This species is around 35 million years old and was introduced to the U.S. in 1780 but is native to south Chia, Taiwan, Laos, and Vietnam. The Cherokee Rose is an evergreen climbing shrub that gets between 16-30 feet tall. It features glossy green leaves and fragrant white flowers. The plant hardy and blooms in early spring, though it can occasionally bloom in the fall with the right conditions. The Cherokee Rose has a fascinating backstory. In 1838, native Cherokee people were removed from their land in Georgia and forced to march to Oklahoma on the “Trail of Tears”. The trail was long and treacherous, with over 4,000 killed along the way. The elder Cherokee called upon their Heaven Dweller who told them where every tear fell on the trail, he would grow a sturdy, thorny plant with seven leaves (one for each Cherokee clan), a white rose with five petals, and a golden center of the flower, to remind the Cherokee people of the white man’s greed for gold. The plant referenced became known as the Cherokee Rose.
The second symbol is the Georgia state wildflower, the native azalea (Rhododendron S.) This designation was originally made in 1979 for “azalea” but revised in 2013 to specify the native varieties. There are between 10-15 species of native azalea in Georgia and most have naturally reproduced and crossed for many years, creating hybrids. Some varieties of note that are present in every county of Georgia include the flame azalea, the plum-leaf azalea, the mountain azalea, and the sweet azalea. Each variety can feature a different bloom time from early spring through late summer, with flowers ranging in color from white to reds, yellows, and oranges. They vary in size from 2-15 feet tall, and are deciduous, meaning they lose their leaves in winter. Azaleas are known as the “royalty of the garden” and are an excellent addition to most Georgia landscapes.
The United States is home to a huge variety of plants and animals in different regions and states. Many of these things have been honored as state symbols, reflecting the unique cultural and natural beauty of the area. If you’re interested in learning more about Georgia’s state symbols, contact us at uge3181@uga.edu.
