Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia)
Heath Family (Ericaceae)
Mountain laurel is an evergreen, multi-stemmed, thicket-forming shrub to small tree, reaching 12 feet or more tall. It has a rounded crown and thick gnarled stems. The leathery leaves are elliptical, glossy, and entire-margined. In flat-topped clusters, the cup-/star-shaped flowers are pink to whitish pink with a darker pink ring near the base and rose spots where the anthers touch the petals. Flowers April through July. It is the larval host for Laurel sphinx (Sphinx kalmiae). The wood of the mountain laurel has been used for handles, pipes, spoons, and among others. All parts of the mountain laurel are poisonous and may cause death if ingested. Found in wet to dry forests and forest edges, meadows, and slopes in eastern US and Canada. Also known as Ivybush, Calico Bush, Spoonwood, Sheep Laurel, and Lambkill. Listed as threatened by the state of Florida.
Copyright Brett Miley
