The Washington state flower is the coastal rhododendron, which is an evergreen shrub with pale pink bell-shaped flowers and leathery leaves. It grows up to 26 feet and prefers moist, acidic soil. The plant is low maintenance but poisonous if ingested. It was voted as the state flower in 1892 and is protected by the Washington legislature.
Washington’s state flower is the coastal rhododendron, also known as the Pacific rhododendron. Nicknamed rhododendrons, coastal rhododendrons are flowering shrubs found west of the Cascade Mountains. The scientific or botanical name of this rhododendron is Rhododendron macrophyllum.
Evergreen coastal rhododendrons keep their leathery leaves year-round. Deep green in colour, the roughly oval leaves have pointed edges. The leaves are usually between 3 and 8 inches (8-20 cm) long. This rhododendron produces small reddish-brown, capsule-shaped fruits. The fruit is usually only 0.78 inches (2 cm) long.
The flowers of this shrub are usually pale pink, but can be found in various shades of pink to almost purplish-red. Present in clusters only at the ends of the branches, the flowers have a bell shape. The number of bunches varies from relatively few to almost covering the plant. The Washington state flower usually blooms from May to July, but can bloom as early as April.
The shrub itself can grow up to 26 feet (8 meters). While they do well in full sun, these plants actually grow taller when in a shaded area. More than 60 percent shade, however, is not good for these rhododendrons.
Coastal rhododendrons generally prefer moist, but well-drained, acidic soils. Because their blooms are showy, they are sometimes used in gardens. These plants are slow growing and low maintenance, requiring little pruning or additional attention. The leaves produce a toxin, however, which is poisonous if ingested. Animals usually find the taste of rhododendrons unpleasant, but have occasionally been known to eat the leaves.
The Washington state flower also grows in the wild. Often found on forest edges, this shrub is also found around thickets and areas that have been affected by bushfires. Although animals do not usually eat them, butterflies often visit flowering shrubs to feast on flower nectar. This shrub is protected by the Washington legislature, and picking Wild Coast rhododendron flowers is specifically prohibited due to their status as a state flower.
Though it wasn’t officially designated a Washington state flower until 1959, the coastal rhododendron was voted to the title in 1892. The election came in time for the newly named flower to be featured at the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago. Although women did not yet have the right to vote in public elections, the election to name the coastal rhododendron a state flower was held entirely by women.
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