West Virginia State Flower, Rhododendron

The West Virginia State Flower is the Rhododendron (Rhododendron Maximum), one of the most elegant and showy of all flowering shrubs. The Rhododendron, sometimes called Big Laurel or Great Laurel, is an evergreen which grows and blooms naturally throught the Mountain State. It may be found in ravines, on shaded hillsides or any cool moist location, and favors acidic soils.

The Rhododendron was selected as West Virginia's State Flower on January 23, 1903, by the Legislature, following a vote by pupils of the public schools. It is a member of the heath family and may be recognized by its large dark evergreen leaves and delicate pale pink or white bloom, mottled with either red or yellow flecks.