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Kalmia latifolia Linnaeus. Common name: Mountain Laurel, Ivy, Calico-bush, Spoonwood, Poison-laurel. Phenology: Mar-Jul; Aug-Oct. Habitat: 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. Distribution: 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, Can, Fl5, FNA8, K4, NE, NY, Pa, RAB, S, S13, 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. Basionym: Kalmia latifolia L. 1753

Links to other floras: = Kalmia latifolia - FNA8

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Wetland Indicator Status:

  • Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FACU
  • Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FACU
  • Midwest: FACU
  • Northcentral & Northeast: FACU

Heliophily ⓘ: 4

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image of plant© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Alan M. Cressler | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Sonnia Hill | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Keith Bradley | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Collectors SOS | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Collectors SOS | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Edwin Bridges | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷

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Horticultural Information

NCBG trait

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Height: 10-15 ft.

plant sale text: Mountain-laurel is among our showiest native shrubs and makes a wonderful landscape plant. Its extravagant spring floral display peaks around mother's day with flower clusters ranging in color from white to pink with lots of variations in between. The evergreen foliage is dark green, glossy, and ornamental. Like many shrubs in the heath family (Ericaceae) this one does best in moist acidic well drained soils though it is actually fairly tolerant of dry conditions. It thrives in light shade but again, is tolerant of sunnier spaces as well.

bloom table text:

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cultural notes:

germination code: 1, 4

native range: eastern United States



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