West Virginia’s Flower: The Rhododendron

GHENT, WV ( WVNS ) — As flowers bloom across the Mountain State, one recognizable flower to many West Virginians blossoms in a wide variety of colors.

Not only is the rhododendron one of the more recognizable flowers in West Virginia, it is also the the Mountain State’s official state flower.

According to the West Virginia Legislature , the rhododendron was named West Virginia’s state flower January 29, 1903. Rhododendrons blooms in many colors such as purple, purple/pink, and white, and normally have large clusters of flowers.

The name ‘ rhododendron ‘ came from the Greek words ‘rhodo’ (rose) and ‘dendron’ (tree). There are hundreds of different rhododendron species, and they can grow up to 20 feet tall.

Rhododendrons can sometimes be mistaken for azaleas and mountain laurels. While the three plants have some similarities due to being from the same family (Ericaceae, also known as the heath family) , there is far more that distinguishes them from one another.

Rhododendrons are known for dense clusters of flowers and large green leaves, and often bloom in various colors in late spring or early summer. Rhododendrons are also evergreen and keep their leaves in the winter. There are more than 800 species of rhododendron, with 28 species in the rhododendron genus being native to North America.

Of the 28 species, there are three that are most recognized as rhododendrons including: Carolina Rhododendron, Mountain Rosebay/Catawba Rhododendron, and the Rosebay Rhododendron. Rhododendrons often grow to be somewhere between four to 20 feet tall depending on the species.

Azaleas bloom in the spring with five petals, and have long stamens that grow from the center of the flower. According to the Azalea Society of America , there are 17 species of azaleas that are native to North America, and they bloom in multiple colors some of which include various shades of orange, yellow, pink, red, and purple.

Azaleas, while a part of the rhododendron genus group, are not an evergreen and therefore lose their leaves during the winter. Depending on the species of azalea, they can grow to be somewhere around five to 12 feet tall.

Mountain Laurel flowers are small and geometric shaped, with evergreen leaves that remain during the winter. They also tend to be smaller than native rhododendron and azaleas, usually growing between two and eight feet tall, and often bloom in white, pink, and red.

There are many recognizable aspects in the Mountain State, and the rhododendron is one colorful flower that not only leaves splashes of color throughout the state, but also leaves its mark as one of West Virginia’s state symbols .

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