Photographer: William Cullina

Mountain Laurel is a broad-leaved evergreen shrub covered with pink and white flowers composed of many clusters of small starlike blossoms with 5 fused petals. It prefers moist soils, rocky woods and swamps.

Native Americans used its hardwood to make spoons and trowels. The root burls can be used for making pipes and handles. Herbalists and Homeopaths have made much medicinal use of a tincture of the fresh leaves of the plant while in flower.

Bloom time Early:June