Pacific Rhododendron
Washington Native Plant Society (wnps.org)
As a website of the Washington State Legislature tells us, "In 1892, before they had the right to vote, Washington women selected the coast rhododendron as the state flower. They wanted an official flower to enter in a floral exhibit at the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago."
"Six flowers were considered, but the final decision was narrowed to clover and the "rhodie," and voting booths were set up for ladies throughout the state. When the ballots were counted, the rhododendron had been chosen as the Washington state flower."
"In 1959, the Legislature designated the native species, Rhododendron macrophyllum, as the official flower of the state of Washington."
This cache is part of a group of caches that are placed for the WSGA 2023 Campout @ the ‘Claw (GCA7WMT).