Sheep Laurel
Posted on in Recent Sightings by Hawk Mountain
Along with the stunning blooms of mountain laurel, Sheep Laurel (Kalmia angustifolia) can also be seen flowering around the trails this time of year. Look for a 3-4 foot tall evergreen shrub with elongated ovular leaves. The flowers are tiny, vibrant pink cups that form in clusters around the stem and bloom from late May to early July. Sheep laurel is found throughout northeastern North America in bogs or swamps, moist roadsides, and pine forests. Sheep laurel, nicknamed lambkill or calf-kill, is extremely toxic if ingested, so keep pets and livestock away!
Photo by Laura Berry.