OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington state senators crossed party lines to settle a prickly issue: establishing the snowball cactus as the Washington official state cactus.
Washington state has never had an official state cactus before–the snowball cactus is on track to be the first one ever.
The Pediocactus nigrispinus is commonly known as the Columbia Plateau cactus or the snowball cactus.
The Washington Native Plant Society says the small cactus is present east of the Cascades and lives in lowland sagebrush desert, grasslands and coniferous forests.
The cactus has a round shape, white spines and can grow rosey pink flowers from its top.
Senator Judy Warnick from Moses Lake proposed the bill in January 2025 after several Ellensburg-area elementary students brought her a proposal and research about the cactus.
The bill was approved in the sante in a 47-2 vote on Thursday.
“Sometimes folks think Olympia is all about the thorny issues but today was about celebrating some pretty sharp kids. These students didn’t just send a letter; they rolled up their sleeves, did their homework, and showed us all how the ‘people’s government’ is supposed to work. I’m honored that we could recognize their effort by passing this bill with such broad support,” Warnick said in her announcement about the bill’s signing.
Warnick also recognized Brooklyn Edgar, the teacher who guided students through the legislative process.
“We can’t forget the teachers who helped nurture these students’ curiosity and actions,” Warnick added. “It takes a lot of patience to guide a class through the twists and turns of making a law. They’re teaching these kids that their voices matter, and that’s a lesson that’ll last a lifetime.”
Next, the bill will move to the Washington House of Representatives.
