In 1927 a bill was introduced in the Alabama Legislature by Representative T. E.
Martin, of Montgomery County, making the goldenrod the state flower. This
became law on September 6, 1927, the same day that the Yellowhammer became
the state bird.
On August 26, 1959, the state flower was changed to the camellia. Ladies in
Butler County preferred the camellia since the goldenrod is a wildflower. They
called the goldenrod a weed.
Because there are several types of camellia, in June 1999, the Legislature
designated that the camellia, Camellia japonica is the official state
flower of Alabama. On the same day Alabama also chose a state wildflower since
the camellia is not a native plant.
Camellia japonica
This earliest-named species has proven the most popular horticulturally, with more than fifty thousand named cultivars introduced. It forms handsome shrubs or trees, with broad, rounded, shiny foliage, a tight compact growth habit, and single-to-double flowers seldom fragrant, ranging in color from white to red. Peak bloom season here is January through March. Originally native to Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, it had been cultivated in China and Japan for centuries for its flowers, particularly in the gardens of Buddhist temples. It was also grown for Tsubaki oil expressed from its seed and used as a hair dressing.
Famous Camellia lovers
HRH The Queen Mother grew Camellias in all of her gardens. As her body was taken from Royal Lodge, Windsor to lie in state at Westminster Hall of the Palace of Westminster, a placing of Camellia from her own gardens was placed on top of the flag draped coffin
Coco Chanel was very well known for wearing a white Camellia
Camellias have always been a rather popular flower. It is said that the Chinese thought them to be the most perfect flowers ever. In popular culture too they have captured people’s imagination. For instance in Scarlett, the sequel to Gone with the wind, Rhett Butler cultivates Camellias and the entire southern society is portrayed as having a deep-rooted fascination with this mystic flowers. Camellias are also popular as flower tattoos
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