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The rhododendron (Rhododendron maximum) was designated the official state flower of West Virginia in 1903 (with the recommendation of the Governor and a vote by the public and school pupils).
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West Virginia designated the sugar maple (Acer saccharum) as the official state tree in 1949, after a vote by public school students and civic organizations.
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West Virginia designated the northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) as official state bird in 1949. One of America's favorite backyard birds, cardinals are distinctive in appearance and song - known for their "cheer cheer cheer," "whit-chew whit-chew" and "purty purty purty" whistles.
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The state Division of Natural Resources conducted a poll to elect a state animal as a symbol for West Virginia in 1954-55. The students, teachers, and sportsmen of West Virginia chose the black bear as the animal symbol for their state by a large margin.
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West Virginia designated old gold and blue as the official state colors in 1963. Old gold and blue are also the official colors of West Virginia University in Morgantown WV.
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West Virginia designated the apple as the official state fruit in 1972 and then amended the resolution in 1995 to specify the golden delicious apple.
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The Legislature officially adopted the black bear as the State Animal of West Virginia on March 23, 1973.
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West Virginia designated brook trout as the official state fish in 1973. Brook trout live under water conditions that are cool, clean and pure.
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West Virginia designated the apple as the official state fruit in 1972 and then amended the resolution in 1995 to specify the golden delicious apple.
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West Virginia designated the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) the official state butterfly in 1995. Both caterpillar and butterfly are brilliant in color as a warning - the Monarch ingests toxins from the milkweed plant which are poisonous to predators.
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West Virginia designated the honeybee as official state insect in 2002. Bee pollination is critical to plant and human survival - beeswax and honey are just surplus gifts from this tiny wonder of nature.