252 THE BOOK OF FORESTRY 
MOUNTAIN LAUREL 
Like the rhododendron the laurel is often used for 
ornamental planting. 
MOUNTAIN LAUREL 
Kalma latefola 
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 mches in diameter) 
LEAVES 
\lternate, thick, glossy, of rubbery 
texture; remain on branches until 
second summer. 3/4’ long, 1-14” 
wide. 
FLOWERS 
Appear in May or June in clusters 
4-5" across Individual flowers 
pink and white, later losing their 
pinkish tnge Very showy. 
Froit 
A woody capsule ripening in Sep-~ 
tember. 
RANGE 
Maine to Ohio, Florida and Texas. 
Found m dense thickets in low 
moist swales. 
