The rose is the state flower of New York, recognized in official legislation. It won an Arbor Day poll in 1891 and has been cultivated for at least 5,000 years. The rose is diverse, with at least 150 species and 20,000 hybrids. Supporters argue its beauty and durability, while opponents criticize its prickly stems. The rose has medicinal and nutritional value, and is a symbol of love and beauty.
The state flower of New York is the rose. New York recognizes roses of any color or combination of colors in official legislation designating the state flower – Arms and Great Seal of the State, Article 6, Section 75. In general, the type of rose people usually associate with the designation of the state flower is the tea rose.
The rose did not become New York’s state flower until April 20, 1955. However, decades earlier it had won the hearts of New Yorkers, placing first in an Arbor Day poll presented to schoolchildren in 1891 with 294,816 votes. Runner-up in the Arbor Day poll was goldenrod, which some of the population dismissed as nothing more than a weed.
The amount of time the rose has been the state flower of New York is a blink of an eye compared to how long roses have been around. Fossil evidence reveals that roses have been growing for about 35 million years. People have been cultivating plants for at least 5,000 years.
One reason New Yorkers have adopted the rose as their state flower is the extreme diversity found in the genus. Scientists recognize at least 150 different species of roses, as well as 20,000 individual hybrids. Appearing as both shrubs and vines, roses grow wild and are cultivated not only in New York, but throughout much of the North American continent. It is for this reason that the rose is the national emblem flower of the entire United States, not just New York.
Supporters of the rose as the state flower of New York emphasize the exquisite beauty of roses. They also argue that the perennial nature of plants is representative of the durability and perseverance of New Yorkers and the American population as a whole. Those in favor of other flowers representing the state argue that roses’ stiff, prickly stems do not reflect the nation’s warmth and hospitality.
Political significance aside, the New York state flower, which is edible, has recognized medicinal and nutritional value. It is one of the main natural sources of vitamin C and contains antioxidants. These traits make rose an option for treating conditions like high cholesterol and boosting the immune system.
Roses have particular meanings based on their shape and color. Overall, the rose has been a symbol of love and beauty for generations. Perhaps the most famous reference to New York’s state flower is found in William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, as the character of Juliet remarks that roses would retain their sweetness even when called something else.
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