Mountain Laurel
Kalmia latifolia
Kalmia latifolia, the mountain laurel, calico-bush, or spoonwood, is a flowering plant and one of the 10 species in the genus of Kalmia belonging to the heath(er) family Ericaceae. It is native to the eastern United States. Its range stretches from southern Maine to northern Florida, and west to Indiana and Louisiana. Mountain laurel is the state flower of Connecticut and Pennsylvania.
Kalmia latifolia is an evergreen shrub growing 3–9 m (9.8–29.5 ft) tall. The leaves are 3–12 cm long and 1–4 cm wide. The flowers are hexagonal, sometimes appearing to be pentagonal, ranging from light pink to white, and occur in clusters. There are several named cultivars that have darker shades of pink, red and maroon. It blooms in May and June. All parts of the plant are poisonous. The roots are fibrous and matted.
Diseases Affecting Mountain Laurel
Mountain Laurel Leaf Spot
Leaf Spot on Mountain Laurel will have large, tan to brown spots on leaves with a dark line on their…
Affected Species:
Phytophthora Root Rot and Crown Dieback
Fungus-like organisms belonging to the genus Phytophthora are soil- or plant-borne and all are plant pathogens.
Affected Species:
Botryosphaeria Canker
The fungus Botryosphaeria can cause a branch dieback on many woody ornamentals. Cankers girdle and kill twigs and branches of species such as horsechestnut, redbud, dogwood, beech, walnut, tulip poplar, sweetgum, crabapple, pine, oak, rhododendron, azalea, rose, willow, elm, and yew. Small black fungal fruiting structures which contain fungal spores develop in the canker.
Affected Species:
Insects Affecting Mountain Laurel
Rhododendron Borer
The rhododendron borer is one of the smallest clearwing borers found in Pennsylvania.
Affected Species:
Japanese Mealybug
This species was intercepted 131 times at U. S. ports-of-entry between 1995 and 2012, with specimens originating from Brazil, China,…
Affected Species:
Southern Red Mite
The female adult is about 0.38 mm long and resembles a small spider.
Affected Species:
Azalea Bark Scale
The adult female azalea bark scale is dark red with short legs and antennae and long, sucking mouth-parts.
Affected Species:
Please give us a call if you have any questions about your trees and shrubs or would like to schedule an appointment for us to walk your property.
610.525.1562
