Cherokee Rose
(Rosa laevigata)
Adopted on August 18, 1916.
On August 18, 1916 with the support
of the Georgia Federation of Women's
Clubs, the Cherokee rose, Rosa laevigata, was named the state
floral emblem. The name "Cherokee Rose"
is a local designation derived from the
Cherokee Indians who widely distributed
the plant.
Legend of the Cherokee Rose
When the Trail of Tears started in
1838, the mothers of the Cherokee were
grieving and crying so much, they were
unable to help their children survive
the journey. The elders prayed for a
sign that would lift the mother's
spirits to give them strength. The next
day a beautiful rose began to grow where
each of the mother's tears fell. The
rose is white for their tears; a gold
center represents the gold taken from
Cherokee lands, and seven leaves on each
stem for the seven Cherokee clans. The
wild Cherokee Rose grows along the route
of the Trail of Tears into eastern
Oklahoma today.
Native to China, this rose has
naturalized across much of the
southeastern United States. This
climbing evergreen rose produces long,
thorny, vine-like canes that sprawl
across adjacent shrubs and other
supports. The pure white single flowers
appear in spring and are densely
arranged along the length of the canes.
The plant can reach 10' to 12' in height
and 15' or more wide.
- Habit: Deciduous
- Exposure: Sun to partial
shade; range of soil types
- Height: 10' to 12' in
height and 15' or more wide
- Flower/Fruit: 3 to 4"
white fragrant flowers in spring
- Fragrance: Strong or
slight, opinions vary
Georgia General Assembly
FLORAL EMBLEM OF THE STATE.
No. 42
A RESOLUTION.
Whereas, In many of the States of
the Union some flower indigenous to
the soil of the State has been
chosen as an emblem of its
sovereignty; and
Whereas, Hitherto the General
Assembly of Georgia has made no such
selection; and
Whereas, The Cherokee Rose, having
its origin among the aborigines of
the northern portion of the State of
Georgia, is indigenous to its soil,
and grows with equal luxuriance in
every county of the State,
Be it therefore by the House of
Representatives of Georgia, the
Senate concurring, resolved, That,
at the suggestion and request of the
Georgia Federation of Women's Clubs,
the Cherokee Rose be and the same is
hereby adopted as and declared to be
the floral emblem of the State of
Georgia.
Approved August 18, 1916.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
|
Kingdom |
Plantae -- Plants |
Subkingdom |
Tracheobionta --
Vascular plants |
Superdivision |
Spermatophyta -- Seed
plants |
Division |
Magnoliophyta --
Flowering plants |
Class |
Magnoliopsida --
Dicotyledons |
Subclass |
Rosidae – |
Order |
Rosales – |
Family |
Rosaceae – Rose family |
Genus |
Rosa L. – rose |
Species |
Rosa laevigata Michx.
– Cherokee rose |
|