Kalmia latifolia Linnaeus. Mountain Laurel, Ivy, Calico-bush. Phen: Mar-Jul; Aug-Oct. Hab: Acidic forests, bluffs, bogs, along sandhill steams, and in a wide range of other habitats, nearly ubiquitous in the mountains, up to at least 1600m, more restricted in habitat in the lower Piedmont and Coastal Plain. Dist: ME, OH, and IN south to Panhandle FL and extreme e. LA.
ID notes: Unlike our other species of Kalmia, which are strictly shrubs, K. latifolia reaches the stature and diameter of a small tree.
Origin/Endemic status: Native
Synonymy ⓘ: = C, Fl5, FNA8, K1, K3, K4, NE, NY, Pa, RAB, S, Tn, Va, W, WH3, WV, Ebinger (1974), Luteyn et al (1996), Southall & Hardin (1974); > Kalmia latifolia L. var. laevipes Fernald – F, G, Tat; > Kalmia latifolia L. var. latifolia – F, G, Tat
Wetland Indicator Status:
Heliophily ⓘ: 4
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