How to identify Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia)
Mountain laurel, also known as Spoonwood
Mountain laurel is an evergreen shrub, distinguishable by its dense, rounded form and sympodial growth, often spanning 6 to 10 feet (1.8 to 3 meters) tall. Its width mirrors its height, creating a substantial presence. The foliage consists of elliptic leaves, contributing to a lush appearance throughout the year. Come late spring, mountain laurel showcases terminal clusters of distinctive bell-shaped flowers, notable for their inner purple markings and unique structure housing 10 anther pockets. With maturity, the branches reveal a gnarled and crooked character, offering visual interest even without floral display.
Lifespan: Perennial
Plant Type: Shrub
Leaf Type: Evergreen
Terminal clusters of bell-shaped flowers with inner purple markings.
Leaves are elliptic, glossy dark green above, yellow-green beneath.
Stems exhibit crooked, gnarly appearance with distinct branching pattern.
Trunk develops distinctive shredding cinnamon bark as it matures.
Fruits are modest brown capsules, persisting into winter, measuring 3/16 inches (5 mm).
Mountain laurel has elliptic to lanceolate, simple, alternate leaves measuring 2 to 5 inches (5 to 13 cm) in length. The leaves are acute to short acuminate at the tip, and cuneate at the base, exhibiting a coriaceous and leathery texture. They present a glossy dark green color above and a yellow-green hue beneath. Occasionally, the leaves are opposite or whorled, and new growth appears yellow-green, eventually yellowing and falling off with age.
The flowers of mountain laurel appear in terminal clusters, forming corymbs that are 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) in diameter. These clusters typically cover the shrub in late April to July for several weeks. Each flower measures up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) across, is cup-shaped with five sides, and ranges in color from rose to white with purple markings inside the corolla. The flowers have five pleated lobes and ten stamens that emerge at bloom but initially remain tucked in small pockets.
The stems of mountain laurel are sympodial, starting off bronze and sticky. As they mature, the stems change to red, green, or brown and develop a crooked, gnarly appearance. The gray-brown bark cracks over time, revealing lighter colors beneath. The epidermis has a rough texture, while the pith inside is solid and light green. Stems can reach up to 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter, exhibiting a distinct branching pattern essential for identification.
The fruit of mountain laurel is a modest, 5-valved, dehiscent capsule measuring approximately 3/16 inches (5 mm) in size. These nondescript capsules take on a brown hue and boast a durability that allows them to persist on the plant well into the winter season. Fruit production occurs around September to October, during which time the capsules are available. Despite their understated appearance, these fruits are a defining characteristic of mountain laurel, helping to differentiate it within its genus.
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Scientific Classification of Mountain laurel
