Mississippi school children were allowed to vote for a state flower on November 28, 1900. The magnolia, cape jasmine, and yellow jasmine were favorites. Cotton was also mentioned. It was beautiful and was also important to Mississippi’s economy. Cotton was supported by the powerful State Federation of Women’s Clubs.
In all, children voted for forty-two flowers, and cotton took second place. Out of 23, 278 votes, the magnolia received 12,745. But the legislature didn’t make it official.
In 1935, Mississippi’s Director of Forestry started a state tree movement, again allowing school children to vote. The magnolia again won by a landslide. It was designated the state tree on April 1, 1938.
On February 26, 1952, the magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) was finally officially adopted as Mississippi’s state flower. Just one legislator voted against it.
Mississippi also has an official wildflower.
The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism - Paperback
