Kalmia latifolia (Mountain laurel)

Kalmia latifolia L.

Kalmia latifolia L. var. laevipes Fernald

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

Kingdom	Plantae	Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
Subkingdom	Tracheobionta	Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
Division	Magnoliophyta	Flowering plants, also known as angiosperms
Class	Magnoliopsida	Dicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
Subclass	Asteridae	A large class that encompasses asters
Order	Ericales	Tea, persimmon, blueberry, Brazil nut, azalea, many others
Family	Ericaceae	Heath or heather family
Genus	Kalmia	Named by Linnaeus to honour his friend the Finnish botanist Pehr Kalm
Species	latifolia	Latin for “wide to broad leaves”

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 Skull & Crossbones Mountain laurel foliage is toxic to horses, cattle, goats, sheep, deer, monkeys, and humans.

Online References:

Kalmia latifolia on Wikipedia

Kalmia latifolia on www.carolinanature.com

Kalmia latifolia at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Kalmia latifolia at the University of Connecticut Plant Database

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

Kalmia latifolia on plants.ces.ncsu.edu

Kalmia latifolia on the USDA Forest Service's Fire Effects Information Database

Kalmia latifolia on SEINet—the Southwest Environmental Information Network

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

5/30/2010 · Hayes Wood Conservation Trail, Shirley St., Pepperell, MA
≈ 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, MA
≈ 21 × 31" (52 × 78 cm)

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

6/14/2016 · Andres Institute of Art, Big Bear Mountain, Brookline, NH

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

6/14/2016 · Andres Institute of Art, Big Bear Mountain, Brookline, NH

1/1/2011 · MacDonald-Zachos'
≈ 31 × 46" (78 × 117 cm)

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

6/15/2017 · Jason Cut-off, Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, NH
≈ 6 × 4" (16 × 11 cm)

Buds. · 7/15/2020 · Garden in the Woods, Framingham, MA ID is uncertain

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

3/9/2012 · Groton Place and Sabine Woods, Groton, MA
≈ 4½ × 3" (11 × 7.9 cm)

6/21/2017 · Pearl Hill State Park, Townsend, MA
≈ 7 × 4½" (18 × 12 cm)

9/15/2016 · Cadillac Mountain Summit, Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, ME

6/9/2019 · Big Bear Mountain, Brookline, NH

9/19/2009 · Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, ME
≈ 17 × 12" (44 × 29 cm) ID is uncertain

6/6/2016 · Andres Institute of Art, Big Bear Mountain, Brookline, NH

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

Buds. · 10/2/2020 · Garden in the Woods, Framingham, MA ID is uncertain

6/21/2017 · Pearl Hill State Park, Townsend, MA
≈ 8 × 5" (20 × 13 cm)

6/6/2016 · Andres Institute of Art, Big Bear Mountain, Brookline, NH

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

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

9/16/2016 · Cadillac Mountain South Ridge Trail, Bar Harbor, ME

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

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

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

6/7/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Pepperell, MA
≈ 12 × 8" (31 × 20 cm)

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

6/6/2016 · Andres Institute of Art, Big Bear Mountain, Brookline, NH

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

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

6/7/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Pepperell, MA
≈ 17 × 12" (44 × 29 cm)

9/16/2016 · Cadillac Mountain South Ridge Trail, Bar Harbor, ME

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

6/14/2009 · By Jacquelyn Boyt

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

10/3/2010 · Tarkill Interpretive Trail, Rte 402, Poconos, Peck’s Pond, PA
≈ 9 × 6" (22 × 14 cm)

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

Range: Zones 4a-9b:

About this map...