West Virginia State Flower

Rhododendron
Rhododendron maximum

The Rhododendron maximum, or great laurel is the state flower of West Virginia. It was selected on January 29, 1903, by the Legislature, following a vote by pupils of West Virginia public schools.

It is a shrub 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.