Camellia

Today a rest for the eyes.  Alabama's state flower, camellia japonica.

Aaaaaachooooo ?

Goldenrod, the gift that keeps on giving in the fall.  Actually that's a bad rap.  According to this source, goldenrod was chosen as the official flower of the US in 1893 and later became the state flower of Alabama in 1927.  It was replaced by the camellia because it was widely thought to cause irritation to those suffering from allergies.  Apparently the real culprit is ragweed.  I spotted this last week at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, which even in late October continues to be full of lovely flowering plants and foliage.  Our warm (tornado loving ) weather has helped.

THERE'S STILL TIME TO WRITE YOUR OWN TITLE FOR THE PHOTOGRAPH POSTED YESTERDAY. CONTEST ENDS ON FRIDAY.