Species › Plants › Mountain Laurel

Mountain Laurel

Kalmia latifolia

CommonPlant
Illustration of Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia)
Safety note: All parts are toxic; honey from nectar can also be toxic.

Mountain Laurel is a stunning native evergreen shrub that covers Appalachian hillsides with spectacular pink and white blossoms in May and June. It is the state flower of both Pennsylvania and Connecticut. The flowers have a unique spring mechanism in each stamen that catapults pollen onto visiting bees. Dense thickets provide critical shelter for deer and grouse.

Habitat
Rocky, acidic slopes and ridges of the Appalachians and eastern US
Diet
Nectar for native bees; dense cover for deer, ruffed grouse, and small mammals
How common
Common

Best time to see a Mountain Laurel

The best time to see a Mountain Laurel is April–June, when about 67% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 54,309 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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