by Ryan Reed

Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) is the state flower, and boy, was it ever gorgeous last weekend in Game Lands 211 on what would be my final spring turkey hunt of the season. Although I heard/saw no turkeys, beholding the sea of blooming mountain laurel on a ridgetop made the hike very worthwhile.

Notorious for being difficult to transplant and nurture for eventual survival in horticultural settings, mountain laurel is rather picky in terms of site preference. As a young landscaper in the State College area, I recall replacing a specimen three times at a hilltop estate. The homeowner finally gave in, and we agreed to replace it with something else entirely. The clay soil was probably to blame; mountain laurel must have a well-drained substrate. They do best in the sandy, acidic soils often found on mountain tops and coexist with other members of the oak-heath community like huckleberry, chestnut oak, and sweet fern.

Mountain laurel makes for interesting study in large forest tracts. Colonizing into nearly pure stands, this relatively large shrub is viewed as a “weed” species to some forest managers due to its ability to suppress growth of more desirable species (like oaks). Why this native is capable of such dominance is perhaps up for debate, but deer and acid rain are certain to enter the conversation. Deer hate it (unless there is nothing else to eat) and as mentioned above, mountain laurel tolerates acidic soils very well (pH 5 to 5.5).

The Pennsylvania state forest system is awash with mountain laurel viewing opportunities, and some “ecotourists” follow the bloom with the same excitement as the fall foliage “leaf peepers”. Some of the best places in the Commonwealth to see it include all the state forests along the Appalachians, including Buchanan, Michaux, Rothrock, Tuscarora, Bald Eagle, Weiser, Pinchot, and Delaware. Additionally, all the “big woods” state forests (Moshannon, Sproul, Elk, Susquehannock, Tioga, Tiadaghton, Loyalsock) offer tremendous mountain laurel viewing opportunities, as well.  I’d be remiss if I failed to mention those situated along the Laurel Highlands, like Forbes and Gallitzin State forests. The bloom follows a south to north progression in lockstep with the passing of late May through June, providing ample time to go see it.

Some fast facts about mountain laurel:

  • It was declared the PA State Flower on May 5, 1933, when Gifford Pinchot signed the bill into law.
  • Another common name for it is “sheepskill” or “lambskill” due to its toxicity.
    Settlers and explorers unfortunately found this out the hard way when their livestock ate it (it is also toxic to pets!).
  • Its wood is very hard and durable and was used to make small tools and utensils.
  • It exists from Maine to northern Florida and as far west as Indiana and Louisiana.
  • Often actuated by bees, their flowers catapult pollen, shooting at speeds up to 8 mph.