plant-banner1

NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Kalmia latifolia

Mountain Laurel, Ivy, Calico-bush

Scientific Name:

Kalmia latifolia

Genus:

Kalmia

Species Epithet:

latifolia

Common Name:

Mountain Laurel, Ivy, Calico-bush

Plant Type

Shrub

Life Cycle

Perennial

Plant Family

Ericaceae (Heath Family)

Native/Alien:

NC Native

Size:

3-6 ft., 6-12 ft., 12-36 ft.

Bloom Color(s):

White, Pink

Light:

Sun - 6 or more hours of sun per day, Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day

Soil Moisture:

Dry, Moist

Bloom Time:

April, May, June, July

Growing Area:

Mountains, Piedmont, Sandhills, Coastal Plain

Habitat Description:

Acidic forests, bluffs, bogs, along sandhill streams, and in a wide range of other habitats, nearly ubiquitous in the mountains, up to at least 1600m, more restricted in habitat in the lower Piedmont and Coastal Plain (Weakley 2015). Common throughout NC.

Leaf Arrangement:

Alternate

Leaf Retention:

Evergreen

Leaf Type:

Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like

Leaf Form:

Simple

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Wildlife Value:

Has some wildlife value

Landscape Value:

Suitable for home landscapes

State Rank:

S5: Secure (*Key)

Global Rank:

G5 - Secure (*Key)

Closeup of Buds and Blooms

image

Another Closeup of Buds and Blooms

image

Leathery, evergreen leaves, with lighter colored new growth

Orange County NC

The Scientific Name is Kalmia latifolia. You will likely hear them called Mountain Laurel, Ivy, Calico-bush. This picture shows the Leathery, evergreen leaves, with lighter colored new growth of Kalmia latifolia

Bettina Darveaux

Developing flower buds in early March. Also present are previous years fruit (capsule.)

Stanly County, NC

The Scientific Name is Kalmia latifolia. You will likely hear them called Mountain Laurel, Ivy, Calico-bush. This picture shows the Developing flower buds in early March. Also present are previous years fruit (capsule.)  of Kalmia latifolia

Bettina Darveaux

Characteristic gnarled and twisted trunks

Orange County, NC

The Scientific Name is Kalmia latifolia. You will likely hear them called Mountain Laurel, Ivy, Calico-bush. This picture shows the Characteristic gnarled and twisted trunks of Kalmia latifolia

Bettina Darveaux

The bark is thin, lightly ridged and furrowed, often splitting and shedding.

Orange County, NC

The Scientific Name is Kalmia latifolia. You will likely hear them called Mountain Laurel, Ivy, Calico-bush. This picture shows the The bark is thin, lightly ridged and furrowed, often splitting and shedding. of Kalmia latifolia

Bettina Darveaux

Usually grows in dense stands.

Panther Branch Natural Area, Orange Co., NC

The Scientific Name is Kalmia latifolia. You will likely hear them called Mountain Laurel, Ivy, Calico-bush. This picture shows the Usually grows in dense stands. of Kalmia latifolia

Bettina Darveaux

Flower buds in late April in the NC mountains.

Macon Co., NC

The Scientific Name is Kalmia latifolia. You will likely hear them called Mountain Laurel, Ivy, Calico-bush. This picture shows the Flower buds in late April in the NC mountains. of Kalmia latifolia

Bettina Darveaux

The evergreen, elliptical-shaped leaves are dark green and glossy.

Julian Price Memorial Park, Watauga Co., NC

The Scientific Name is Kalmia latifolia. You will likely hear them called Mountain Laurel, Ivy, Calico-bush. This picture shows the The evergreen, elliptical-shaped leaves are dark green and glossy. of Kalmia latifolia

Bettina Darveaux

Even the flower buds about to open are unusual and very attractive.

Julian Price Memorial Park, Watauga Co., NC

The Scientific Name is Kalmia latifolia. You will likely hear them called Mountain Laurel, Ivy, Calico-bush. This picture shows the Even the flower buds about to open are unusual and very attractive. of Kalmia latifolia

Bettina Darveaux

Julian Price Memorial Park, Watauga Co., NC

The Scientific Name is Kalmia latifolia. You will likely hear them called Mountain Laurel, Ivy, Calico-bush. This picture shows the  of Kalmia latifolia

Bettina Darveaux

The cup-shaped corolla has folds where the 10 anthers are tucked in at first.

Julian Price Memorial Park, Watauga Co., NC

The Scientific Name is Kalmia latifolia. You will likely hear them called Mountain Laurel, Ivy, Calico-bush. This picture shows the The cup-shaped corolla has folds where the 10 anthers are tucked in at first. of Kalmia latifolia

Bettina Darveaux

Links:

USDA PLANTS Database Record



Permalink - (right click to save this page to your bookmarks)

<<< PREVIOUS

NEXT >>>

back to top
go to plant details search
go to plant images search
go to gallery home
back to Initial k Gallery
back to orchids
back to Carnivorous Plants
back to Trilliums