Georgia’s State Flower Controversy: Is It Time for a Change?

Gather 'round, fellow Georgians, because it’s time to talk about a scandal rocking the botanical world: our beloved state flower, the Cherokee Rose, isn’t actually from Georgia… or even America. Nope. It’s from China. Let that sink in.

The Cherokee Rose: A Beautiful (but Misplaced) Symbol

Back in 1916, Georgia picked the Cherokee Rose (Rosa laevigata) as the official state flower. It was meant to honor the resilience of the Cherokee people after the forced removal known as the Trail of Tears. Beautiful sentiment, right? Except for one small issue—this flower isn't native to Georgia. It’s not even native to North America.

That’s right, folks. Our state flower is an immigrant. It came over from China, probably on the same boat as the first tea shipment, and just happened to take root here. And while it’s lovely, it’s not exactly a shining example of Georgia’s native flora.

Enter the Sweetbay Magnolia: A True Georgia Peach of a Flower

Some botanists and native plant enthusiasts (aka plant nerds, and we love them for it) are outraged by this revelation. They’re pushing for a new state flower—the Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana). Why? Because unlike our current “Georgia” flower, this beauty actually lives here naturally.

Not only is the Sweetbay Magnolia a native, but it also provides food and shelter for Georgia’s state butterfly, the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail. It’s like the ultimate local host plant, while the Cherokee Rose is that distant cousin who crashes on your couch and never leaves.

Politicians Are (Kind of) On Board… But Not Really

A few lawmakers have stepped in with bills to swap out our international imposter for the good ol’ homegrown Magnolia. But not everyone’s convinced. Some politicians argue that we’ve had the Cherokee Rose for over a century, and you can’t just break up with a flower that easily. (We guess that means they're against rebranding, too?)

To compromise, lawmakers have proposed an alternative: April would become "Georgia Native Plant Month," giving a little love to local plants without ditching the Cherokee Rose. It’s like saying, "Okay, we know the rose is a fraud, but let’s just appreciate the other plants instead of making a big deal about it."

So, What Happens Now?

For now, the Cherokee Rose keeps its title, and the Sweetbay Magnolia stays in the background, like an understudy waiting for its big moment. But this debate isn’t over. Will Georgia finally embrace its native roots? Or will we keep pretending our state flower isn’t an international imposter?

Stay tuned, Georgia. This flower drama is far from over.