Mountain laurel is native to eastern North America, found at edges of dense woods
or throughout mature hardwood and pine forests where light levels are fairly high. The common name reflects its widespread presence in mountain forests, but it is also common closer to sea level.
This is a popular landscaping plant, and many cultivars exist.
Identification: Plants are 6½-30′ (2-9 m) high, usually
growing as shrubs but reaching tree size in some areas. Its multiple branches are characteristically
crooked, and gray or cinnamon-colored, depending upon age. The shape may be compact or uneven,
with irregular branches and uneven foliage. Leaves are shiny, 1-4½″ (3-12 cm) × ⅜-1½″ (1-4 cm),
roughly oval (technically elliptical), with smooth edges and pointed tips. Leaves are usually dark
green, but become lighter in high amounts of sunlight. Flowers occur in numerous attractive 4-6″ (10-15 cm) clusters
that appear from May to July.
Each flower is bowl-shaped, ¾-1″ (1.9-2.5 cm) in diameter, with five overlapping petals, white or pink with rose-colored spots.
Edibility: Poisonous Mountain laurel foliage is toxic to
horses, cattle, goats, sheep, deer, monkeys, and humans.
This is among the northermost stands in northeastern North America. · 5/17/2021 · Bijhouwer Forest, Phippsburg, Maine · ≈ 10 × 6″ (24 × 16 cm)
3/9/2012 · Groton Place and Sabine Woods, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 4½ × 3″ (11 × 7.9 cm)
6/21/2017 · Pearl Hill State Park, Townsend, Massachusetts · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (18 × 12 cm)
9/15/2016 · Cadillac Mountain Summit, Acadia, Bar Harbor, Maine
9/19/2009 · Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine · ≈ 17 × 12″ (44 × 29 cm) ID is uncertain
6/6/2016 · Andres Institute of Art, Big Bea, Brookline, New Hampshire
Buds. · 5/22/2010 · Garden in the Woods, Framingham, Massachusetts · ≈ 10 × 15″ (26 × 39 cm) ID is uncertain
Kalmia latifolia L.var. laevipes Fernald
Kalmia latifolia description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 25 May 2020.