The mountain laurel is the state flower of Connecticut and Pennsylvania, and is an evergreen shrub that blooms between May and June. It has pink, white, or mottled flowers and is toxic to some animals. The plant was used by Native Americans for medicinal purposes.
The mountain laurel is the official state flower of Connecticut, one of the eastern states of the United States. Mountain laurel is an evergreen shrub that is part of the heath and blueberry family. This shrub was designated a Connecticut state symbol in 1907, following the efforts of lobdi about 3,000 women. These persuasive Connecticut women furthered their cause by placing a clipping of the beautiful, fragrant mountain laurel on the desks of many of the legislators, ultimately winning their battle to make the mountain laurel the state flower of Connecticut.
Mountain laurel is a shrub that can grow to 3.05-4.27 feet (3.05-4.27 m). The elliptical leaves of mountain laurel are large, thick, and dark green in color. They resemble a larger version of the bay leaf commonly used in cooking.
The Connecticut state flower typically blooms between May and June. Mountain laurel flowers are cupped and consist of five petals that form a delicate star shape. The flowers are typically pink, white, or mottled white with pinkish-red dots. During the fall, the flowers of the mountain laurel ripen into a cluster of fruit. Each fruit is a dark brown sphere that opens into sections when it dries and releases the seeds.
Mountain laurel bark is grayish to reddish-brown in color. Branches grow tortuously to produce a tortuous, non-symmetrical branching pattern. This attribute of mountain laurel has historically made it a popular choice for woodworkers making rustic furniture.
This type of shrub thrives in moist, even slightly marshy areas, or rocky, wooded niches. Mountain laurel is so common along the eastern border of the United States between northern Florida and Maine that it is also the state flower of Pennsylvania. Mountain laurel also sometimes grows in the western parts of the United States.
The scientific name of the Connecticut state flower is Kalmia latifolia. Some of the other common names for this plant are spoon, ivy, calico bush, sheep’s bay, and lamb’s kill. The name Lamb kill comes from the toxicity of this plant to humans, sheep, cows, deer, horses and goats. Kalmia latifolia does not appear to harm cats and dogs. This poisonous plant was used medicinally by Native Americans as a topical poultice for its anti-inflammatory properties and to combat poison ivy itching.
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