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Massachusetts
Indigenous Mayflowers of Massachusetts
With so many vernacular names associated with the Trailing-Arbutus such as the
Creeping Mayflower, Epigee Rampante, Ground Laurel, Mountain Pink, Gravel Plant,
and Winter Pink, it is still commonly recognized and called by the name
Mayflower.
The blossoms of Mayflower are funnel-shaped with white to pinkish five spreading
lobes. The lobes can measure from 1 to 2 cm. long. Blossoms are waxy-textured,
clustered at the axils of its leaves and sometimes at the ends of its branches
too. Mayflower blossoms are considered very fragrant and the strength of its
scents vary differently depending on the type of soil and the location of the
plant. The scent of mayflowers are more powerful during the early spring under
the evergreen trees.
Foliage with alternate oval leaves with slightly blunt pointed ends. Stalks of
Mayflower are rather hairy prostrate stems. The plant is a trailing or a
creeping form that grows out in the open. In general, you can see the
Trailing-Arbutus typically growing in acidic soil, in lightly wooded areas and
slopes.
Mayflower or Epigaea repens is the State Flower of Massachusetts. The flower was
proposed to represent the state of Massachusetts as early as 1893. It was the
idea of the “National Graland of Flowers” that brought inspiration to choose a
floral emblem that will represent each of the states in America.
Before Mayflower became the state flower of Massachusetts, the flower endured
failure and defeat two times in a row in its goal to gain legislative approval.
Mayflower was first introduced as floral emblem as a proposed bill in 1900. In
1901, the same bill was introduced again but like the first one it was again
defeated, two proposed bills that aims to adopt the Mayflower as the state fower
of Massachussets failed.
In 1905, a new bill was proposed, it was to name the Mountain Laurel as
Massachusetts floral emblem, however, for the third time, it was again deprived
of a legislative approval.
The third attempt on the Mayflower was a bill introduced and supported by State
Rep. Miles A O’Brien. His proposed bill was quite a charmer that time, but under
unfortunate events, it was faced with another bill competing to named the state
flower of Massachusetts. The other bill was introducing the Water Lily as the
state’s floral emblem.
Massachusetts’ General Court decided to let the Department of Agriculture handle
the issue, which in turn and in finality passed onto the State Board of
Education. The result came out that there will be a statewide election of school
children. It was a voting event that will be participated by the school children
of Massachusetts, to help determine the floral emblem that will represent the
state.
School children of Massachusetts chose the Mayflower over the Water Lily more
than twice the number of votes. Mayflower garnered 107, 617 number of votes,
while the Water Lily cast a mere 49, 499 number of votes.
Oahu weddings
photography by www.1ove.com.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts with its General Court adopted the Mayflower
or Epigaea repens which is also commonly known as the Trailing-Arbutus as the
official floral emblem of the state of Massachusetts. On the 17th of May 1925, a
bill was amended to protect the specie of the endangered Mayflower.
Whitman S., Jr. Browne
Boston Herald, United States -
Mar 6, 2008
By request of the family in lieu of flowers,
memorial donations can be made to The Center For Performing Arts, PO
Box 291, Wakefield, MA 01880. ...
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Betty Hayward
SouthCoastToday.com, MA -
4 hours ago
... 87 Crowell Road, Chatham. In lieu of
flowers, donations may be made to the Rosewood Manor Sunshine
Fund, 671 Main Street, Harwich, MA 02645.
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