252 



THE BOOK OF FORESTRY 



MOUNTAIN LAUEEL 



Like the rhododendron the laurel is often used for 

 ornamental planting. 



MOUNTAIN LAUREL 



Kalmia latifolia 



FORM 



A dense shrub from 5'-10' in height in 

 the North, reaching tree size in the 

 Southern Appalachians (up to 35' 

 tall and 18 inches in diameter). 



LEAVES 



Alternate, thick, glossy, of rubbery 

 texture; remain on branches until 

 second summer. 3"-4" long, 1-1 \" 

 wide. 



FLOWERS 



Appear in May or June in clusters 

 4 '-5" across. Individual flowers 

 pink and white, later losing their 

 pinkish tinge. Very showy. 



FRUIT 



A woody capsule ripening in Sep- 

 tember. 



RANGE 



Maine to Ohio, Florida and Texas. 

 Found in dense thickets in low 

 moist swales. 



