CONNECTICUT STATE FLOWERS

Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia) is the official Connecticut State Flower. The Mountain Laurel is perhaps the most beautiful of native American shrubs. Mountain Laurel, a Wildflower, is also the state flower of Pennsylvania. The Mountain Laurel plant was originally brought to Europe as an ornamental plant during the 18th century. Mountain Laurel is widely grown for its attractive flowers.

Kingdom

Plantae

Division

Magnoliophyta

Class

Magnoliopsida

Order

Ericales

Family

Ericaceae

Genus

Kalmia

Mountain Laurel flowers are star-shaped, ranging in color from red to pink to white, and occurring in clusters. Mountain Laurel bloom between May and June.The Mountain Laurel flower stamens have a mechanism to eject pollen when tripped by a bee.The Mountain Laurel flowers have 5 Regular Parts and are up to 2.5cm wide. Mountain Laurel flowers are pink, sometimes white.

Blooms first appear in late spring and continue into early summer. The Mountain Laurel flowers bloom in showy clusters.

Mountain Laurel are also called Ivybush, Calico Bush, Spoonwood, Sheep Laurel, Lambkill and Clamoun.The Mountain Laurel flower was designated as the State Flower of Connecticut by the General Assembly in 1907. The Mountain Laurel plant is naturally found on rocky slopes and in mountainous forest areas.

There are many online florists who deliver flowers to Connecticut. You can send flowers, plants of your choice to your loved ones living in Connecticut or from Connecticut to other locations across the United States of America through these popular Connecticut Online Florists.

Facts About Mountain Laurel

• Mountain Laurel is a flowering plant in the family Ericaceae, native to the eastern USA, from southern Maine to northern Florida, and west to Indiana and Louisiana.
• The Mountain Laurel can reach a height of 6.1 Meters (20 feet ).
• The Mountain laurel plant leaves are alternate, with each leaf shiny and entire. The leaves are 3-12 cm long and 1-4 cm wide.
• All parts of the plant are poisonous.
• The Mountain laurel plant was first recorded in America in 1624, but it was named after Pehr Kalm, who sent samples in the 18th century.
• The Mountain Laurel plant can grow to 30-feet in width and 10-feet in height.
• Mountain Laurel has a thin, long, dark-reddish brown bark that have narrow ridges and scales.
• The leaves are yellow-green and shiny on top. The leaves can grow in pairs or in threes, alternate or opposite, 3-4 inches long.
• The plant often grows in large thickets, covering large areas of forest floor.
• Spectacular floral displays are the hallmark of this shrub.
• Mountain laurel wood is relatively strong and has been used by artisans to make tobacco pipes and furniture, such as end tables and small chairs.
• The plant is also long-lived and can be active for up to 100 years. The Mountain Laurel Fruit is a brown, five celled capsule about 6mm (.25") wide, which is seen in Rocky woods.