Native plant enthusiasts in Georgia have been advocating for a change in the state flower from the invasive Cherokee rose to the native sweetbay magnolia. The sweetbay magnolia not only supports the state butterfly but also represents the importance of native plants in Georgia’s environment. Efforts to make this change have been met with resistance from some powerful legislators, who argue that the Cherokee rose is deeply ingrained in the state’s history. Despite setbacks in passing legislation to change the state flower, a compromise bill to designate April as Georgia Native Plant Month has garnered support. This compromise bill aims to raise awareness of the ecological importance of all native plants in Georgia, rather than just one species. The Georgia Cherokee Community Alliance has expressed that the Cherokee rose holds no significance in their culture and advocates for the recognition of all native plants in the state. Advocates emphasize the benefits of using indigenous plants to protect the ecosystem and land from destructive events like wildfires. While the effort to change the state flower may have fallen short this year, the support for honoring Georgia’s native plants continues to grow. For those interested in learning more about Georgia’s native plants, the Cherokee Garden at Green Meadows Preserve in Cobb County features native plants used by the Cherokee people and is open to the public free of charge.
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