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Alabama State Wildflower
Alabama State Wildflower: Oak-leaf Hydrangea
J.S. Peterson @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
Used with permission.
In 1939, the goldenrod was named Alabama's official state flower. But, in 1959, the Alabama Legislature voted to replace the goldenrod with the camellia.
That set off a 10-year battle to try to undo the decision. Opponents argued that the camellia was not native to Alabama. But camellia lovers countered that its blooms didn’t cause hay fever like the goldenrod *, and it’s red and white colors matched the state colors. [ 1 ]
In essence the conflict was native flower versus import. Camellias are beautiful flowers that come in a wide variety of colors and types. But camellias, native to China, do not represent anything particular to Alabama it was argued.
As time went on, the contention over the state flower faded.
Open discord may have faded but there still remained a strong consensus within the state that the official flower should be a plant that was native to the state and not an import, no matter the particular qualities of that import.
Not wanting to dredge up old animosities regarding suitability for the position of official state flower of Alabama, the Alabama Wildflower Society began promoting legislation that would name a native plant, the oak-leaf hydrangea the state's official wildflower while leaving the camellia to enjoy its status as the state's official flower.
State Representative Gerald Willis brought the proposal to the Alabama Legislature. In addition to naming the oak-leaf hydrangea the state's official wildflower, the legislation also specified, unlike the 1959 text, a specific species of camellia as the state flower; Camellia japonica L.
Initial reaction, in the House of Representatives and the Senate, was not overwhelming. Bills assigned to the Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Committee never re-emerged.
Willis and the Alabama Wildflower Society were back, again, in 1999. Again, Rep. Willis' bill, House Bill No. 57, was referred to the Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Committee. It looked like a fate similar to previous years was cast upon House Bill No. 57.
But House Bill No. 57 did not languish in committee. It emerged with a favorable recommendation and was approved by a vote of the Alabama House of Representatives on March 23, 1999.
Further, the bill was approved by the Alabama State Senate on May 25, 1999.
That same day, at 6:20 P.M., Governor Forrest Hood, or just plain Fob, James signed House Bill No.57 making a particular species, Camellia japonica, the official state flower and designating the oak-leaf hydrangea Alabama's official state wildflower.
With the passage of this bill, and after three years of effort by the Alabama Wildflower Society, Alabama now had an official state flower and an official wildflower. House Bill No. 57 also specified that specimens of the flowers should be maintained at Auburn University. The text of House Bill No. 57 follows:
Rep(s). By Representative Willis
House Bill No. 57
Enrolled, An Act,
SYNOPSIS: Under existing law, the camellia is the official state flower of Alabama. The state does not have an official state wildflower.
This bill would specify the species of camellia to be designated as the state flower and would designate the oak-leaf hydrangea as the official state wildflower.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
To amend Section 1-2-11, Code of Alabama 1975, to specify the species of camellia to be designated as the state flower; and to designate the oak-leaf hydrangea as the official state wildflower.
Section 1. Section 1-2-11, Code of Alabama 1975, is amended to read as follows:
§1-2-11.
"(a) The camellia, Camellia japonica L., is hereby designated and named as the official state flower of Alabama.
"(b) The oak-leaf hydrangea, Hydrangea quercifolia Bartr., is hereby designated and named as the official state wildflower of Alabama.
"(c) Specimens of the state flower and the state wildflower shall be deposited in the Auburn University Herbarium, which is the state herbarium for Alabama."
Section 2. This act shall become effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.
* At one time, it was a common misconception that goldenrod was responsible for bouts of hay fever. The blame can rightly be attributed to ragweed.
Alabama Law
The following information is excerpted from The Code of Alabama, Title 1, Chapter 2, Section 1-2-11.
TITLE 1
Chapter 2. STATE SYMBOLS AND HONORS
SECTION 1-2-11.
State flower; state wildflower.
(a) The camellia, Camellia japonica L., is hereby designated and named as the official state flower of Alabama.
(b) The oak-leaf hydrangea, Hydrangea quercifolia Bartr., is hereby designated and named as the official state wildflower of Alabama.
(c) Specimens of the state flower and the state wildflower shall be deposited in the Auburn University Herbarium.
(Acts 1927, No. 541, p. 627; Code 1940, T. 55, §8; Acts 1959, No. 124, p. 646; Act 99–313, §1.)
Sources...
"Alabama State Flower." eReferenceDesk.com. Web Marketing Services, LLC. Web. 24 Apr. 2015.
[ 1 ] "Move over Camellia -- Alabama Recognizes Oak Leaf Hydrangea." The News-Courier. 27 May 1999. The News-Courier. Web. 24 Apr. 2015.
"State Wildflower of Alabama." Official Symbols and Emblems of Alabama. Alabama Department of Archives and History, 6 Feb. 2014. Web. 24 Apr. 2015.
"SECTION 1-2-11." The Code of Alabama. The State of Alabama, 31 Dec. 2014. Web. 24 Apr. 2015. <http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/alison/CoALogin.aspx>.
Shankle, George Earlie. State Names, Flags, Seals, Songs, Birds, Flowers, and Other Symbols. Irvine, Calif.: Reprint Services Corp, Revised edition, 1971.
Shearer, Benjamin F. and Barbara S. State Names, Seals, Flags and Symbols: A Historical Guide Third Edition, Revised and Expanded. Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press, 3 Sub edition, 2001.
Additional Information
Alabama State Wildflower: Oak-leaf Hydrangea
J.S. Peterson @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
Used with permission.
Plant Identification Resource: Auburn University Horticultural Department.
Wildflowers of Alabama: Caroline R. Dean's website at Auburn University.
Wildflowers of Alabama: Encyclopedia of Alabama: Curtis J. Hansen, Auburn University.
Hydrangea quercifolia (Oakleaf Hydrangea): The Encyclopedia of Life v2: Providing Global Access to Knowledge About Life on Earth.
Hydrangea quercifolia (Oakleaf Hydrangea): United States Department of Agriculture: Natural Resources Conservation Service; Plants Database.
Hydrangea quercifolia ( Bartram): Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS) Here you will find authoritative taxonomic information on plants, animals, fungi, and microbes of North America and the world.
Hydrangea quercifolia (Oakleaf Hydrangea): Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: Native Plants Database.
Hydrangea: Kerry Smith, Horticulture Associate - Auburn University.
The Alabama Wildflower Society: Official website.
State wildflowers: Complete list of official state wildflowers from NETSTATE.COM
More symbols & emblems: Complete list of official Alabama state symbols from NETSTATE.COM.
Wildflowers of Alabama
and Adjoining States
Blanche E. Dean
Amy Mason
Joab L. Thomas
Wildflowers
of North Alabama
Wildflowers of Alabama and Adjoining States, by Blanche E. Dean, Amy Mason, Joab L. Thomas. 230 pages. Publisher: University of Alabama Press; 1st Edition (1973)
This work records in color photographs and brief but practical descriptions some 400 of the most common, most showy, and most interesting and significant of the 3,000 species of flowering plants in Alabama. Picture and description of at least one representative of most known families, popular and scientific names, distinguishing characteristics, geographical distribution in North America, and specific ecological data in Alabama.
Wildflowers of North Alabama, Edited by Bonnie Perkins Tondera. 250 pages. Publisher: Inge H. Paul; First edition (1987)
Compiled by Bonnie Perkins Tondera ; text by Laura French Clark, Michael M. Gibson ; photographs by Susanne K. Dabney [and others].
Complete Hydrangeas
Glyn Church
Complete Hydrangeas, by Glyn Church. 144 pages. Publisher: Firefly Books (March 20, 2007)
Newly developed cultivars have increased the range of this popular plant. The book is a comprehensive guide to hydrangeas with more than 230 recommended clones and all the information needed to grow them.
The large number of hydrangea cultivars developed in recent years has done much to increase their popularity across North America. Gardeners in colder regions, who could not grow these brilliant bloomers, now have many choices available. Today there are new super-hardy, dwarf and compact varieties; new colors; and new forms of these satisfying plants.
The New Southern Living
Garden Book
The Editors of
Southern Living Magazine
The New Southern Living Garden Book: The Ultimate Guide to Gardening, by the Editors of Southern Living Magazine. 768 pages. Publisher: Oxmoor House (January 13, 2015)
An all-new revised and updated edition, The New Southern Living Garden Book is the definitive source on gardening from the brand Southern gardeners have turned to for nearly 50 years. Completely redesigned and updated for the first time in 10 years, the new edition features over 1,700 beautiful color photographs and over 7,000 featured plants. Enhanced features include a monthly garden checklist, a Q&A section to tackle everyday problems, and garden design solutions, plus industry experts provide the hottest trends and tips combined with old-fashioned wisdom. From the new homeowner just starting out in gardening to the Master Class gardener, this book will be an essential resource.
State Botanical Symbols
Alan McPherson
State Botanical Symbols, by Alan McPherson. 132 pages. AuthorHouse (June 10, 2013)
Alan McPherson is a naturalist who resides in northern Indiana and enjoys traveling and learning about the botanical resources our vast country.
In this reference book over 200 state botanical symbols are presented with informative text that highlights their adoptive legislation, botanical and social history. From the white pine of Maine's northeastern forests, westward to the yellow hibiscus of Hawaii's Polynesian islands, our state's official botanical symbols are as uniquely diverse as the terrain and character of the 50 states themselves.
State Birds and Flowers
Coloring Book
U.S. State Flowers
in Counted Cross Stitch
Gerda Bengtsson
State Birds and Flowers Coloring Book
51 accurately detailed, copyright-free renderings include national bird (eagle) and flower (rose) plus 50 state birds and flowers.
U. S. State Flowers in Cross Stitch
Quilting Flowers of the States
Plants, Seeds & Flowers
