Kalmia latifolia L.

Mountain laurel, spoonwood, ivybush, calico bush, lambkill, clamoun

About plant names...

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.

Online References:

Wikipedia

Www.carolinanature.com

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

The University of Connecticut Plant Database

Plants for a Future, a resource and information centre for edible and otherwise useful plants

Plants.ces.ncsu.edu

The USDA Forest Service's Fire Effects Information Database

SEINet—the Southwest Environmental Information Network

10/3/2010 · Tarkill Interpretive Trail, Rte 402, Poconos, Peck’s Pond, Penn­syl­vania
≈ 9 × 6" (23 × 15 cm)

5/30/2010 · Hayes Wood Conservation Trail, Shirley St., Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 4½ × 3" (11 × 7.9 cm)

1/1/2011 · MacDonald-Zachos’
≈ 7 × 4½" (17 × 11 cm)

9/28/2011 · Groton Place and Sabine Woods, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 21 × 31" (52 × 78 cm)

6/17/2016 · Blue Trail, Willard Brook State, Ashby, Mass­a­chu­setts

6/14/2016 · Andres Institute of Art, Big Bea, Brookline, New Hamp­shire

6/5/2015 · Big Bear Mountain, Brookline, New Hamp­shire
≈ 5 × 3½" (13 × 9.2 cm)

6/14/2016 · Andres Institute of Art, Big Bea, Brookline, New Hamp­shire

10/3/2010 · Tarkill Interpretive Trail, Rte 402, Poconos, Peck’s Pond, Penn­syl­vania
≈ 9 × 7" (21 × 17 cm)

6/15/2017 · Jason’s Cutoff, Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hamp­shire
≈ 6 × 4" (16 × 11 cm)

Buds. · 7/29/2023 · Garden in the Woods, Framingham, Mass­a­chu­setts ID is uncertain

5/30/2010 · Hayes Wood Conservation Trail, Shirley St., Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 8 × 5" (19 × 13 cm)

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
≈ 6 × 4½" (14 × 12 cm)

9/15/2016 · Cadillac Mountain Summit, Acadia, Bar Harbor, Maine

9/19/2009 · Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine
≈ 14 × 12" (35 × 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
≈ 9 × 6" (23 × 15 cm) ID is uncertain

Kalmia latifolia description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 25 May 2020.

© FloraFinder.org. All rights reserved.

6/21/2017 · Pearl Hill State Park, Townsend, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 7 × 5" (17 × 13 cm)

6/6/2016 · Andres Institute of Art, Big Bea, Brookline, New Hamp­shire

5/18/2018 · Willard Brook State Park, Blue Trail, Ashby, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 7 × 4½" (18 × 12 cm)

6/26/2016 · Short Trail, Willard Brook State, Ashby, Mass­a­chu­setts

9/16/2016 · Cadillac Mountain South Ridge Tr, Bar Harbor, Maine

9/29/2013 · South Bubble Hike, Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine
≈ 5 × 8" (12 × 19 cm)

6/23/2013 · Rocky Ridge Trail, Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hamp­shire
≈ 5 × 4½" (13 × 11 cm)

9/19/2009 · Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine
≈ 11 × 7" (27 × 18 cm) ID is uncertain

6/7/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 9 × 7" (24 × 17 cm)

9/28/2011 · Groton Place and Sabine Woods, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 11 × 7" (27 × 18 cm)

6/6/2016 · Andres Institute of Art, Big Bea, Brookline, New Hamp­shire

7/1/2023 · Pocahontas State Park, Chesterfield, Virginia

1/1/2011 · MacDonald-Zachos’
≈ 7 × 4½" (17 × 11 cm)

9/19/2009 · Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine
≈ 9 × 6" (23 × 15 cm) ID is uncertain

6/7/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 15 × 12" (37 × 29 cm)

9/16/2016 · Cadillac Mountain South Ridge Tr, Bar Harbor, Maine

6/10/2012 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 3½ × 2½" (9.8 × 6.6 cm)

6/14/2009 · By Jacquelyn Boyt

6/22/2017 · Garden in the Woods, Framingham, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 7 × 4½" (18 × 12 cm) ID is uncertain

10/3/2010 · Tarkill Interpretive Trail, Rte 402, Poconos, Peck’s Pond, Penn­syl­vania
≈ 8 × 5" (19 × 13 cm)

6/20/2007 · Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 15 × 10" (39 × 26 cm)

7/4/2011 · Mike and Ellen’s, Milford, Penn­syl­vania
≈ 4½ × 3" (11 × 7.9 cm)

Range: Zones 4a-9b:

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