But peaches are native to China. The honeybee, Georgia's state insect, is a European import. Georgia's state flower is another Old World import. But the Cherokee rose has become an unofficial symbol of the Cherokee Indians. In recent years, Georgia has followed other states in adopting an official state marine mammal, reptile, shell, and wildflower.
State fossils are another new breed of symbols which recall the very distant past.
From the Cherokee rose to Pogo Possum to the right whale, Georgia boasts some exciting state symbols, but it's that peach that keeps Georgia on my mind. . . . . .