MOUNTAIN-LAUREL

MOUNTAIN-LAUREL (Kalmia latifolia)

Mountain-laurel is an erect-stemmed low shrub or small tree of rocky woods or low ground. It is widely distributed but local; absent in Somerset, Franklin, Kennebec and Androscoggin Counties.

The leaves are evergreen, green on both sides, elliptical, up to 3 inches long and 1 inch wide. They are flat, thick and leathery with an entire margin, and are narrowed at; both ends. Arrangement is mostly alternate, sometimes opposite and rarely in three's, grouped at the tip of the twig.

The flowers are pink in color with variations possible, and are borne in erect, terminal clusters.

The fruit are globose, woody capsules borne on erect, hairy, sticky stalks that are many times longer than the diameter of the capsules. The capsules have long, persistent styles.

The twigs are rounded, sticky at first but later becoming smooth.