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Kalmia latifolia

L.

Mountain Laurel

G5Secure Found in 142 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G5SecureGlobal Rank
Least concernIUCN
UnknownThreat Impact
Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia). Photo by kirbyadams, CC BY-NC 4.0, via iNaturalist.
kirbyadams, CC BY-NC 4.0
Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia). Photo by Ashley M Bradford, CC BY-NC 4.0, via iNaturalist.
Ashley M Bradford, CC BY-NC 4.0
Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia). Photo by Ashley M Bradford, CC BY-NC 4.0, via iNaturalist.
Ashley M Bradford, CC BY-NC 4.0
Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia). Photo by Ashley M Bradford, CC BY-NC 4.0, via iNaturalist.
Ashley M Bradford, CC BY-NC 4.0
Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia). Photo by benthomas, CC BY-NC 4.0, via iNaturalist.
benthomas, CC BY-NC 4.0
Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia). Photo by benthomas, CC BY-NC 4.0, via iNaturalist.
benthomas, CC BY-NC 4.0
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.159823
Element CodePDERI0K040
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicendemic to a single nation
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderEricales
FamilyEricaceae
GenusKalmia
Other Common Names
Kalmia à feuilles larges (FR) mountain laurel (EN)
Concept Reference
Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2025-05-09
Change Date1983-09-08
Edition Date2025-05-09
Edition AuthorsN. Ventrella (2025)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent200,000-2,500,000 square km (about 80,000-1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank Reasons
Kalmia latifolia is a perennial shrub or tree occurring in hardwood forests of eastern North America, from Maine south to Florida, west to Louisiana, and north to Indiana in the United States, and also in England. There are over 1,700 estimated occurrences of this species inNorth America, which are threatened by development, rights-of-way construction and maintenance, invasive species, logging, succession, and over-collection from the wild for horticultural purposes. Little is known about threats or trends, but with a large range extent and high number of occurrences, Kalmia latifolia is considered secure.
Range Extent Comments
Kalmia latifolia occurs in eastern North America, from Maine south to Florida, west to Louisiana, and north to Indiana in the United States (FNA 2009). It also been occurs in Europe (England). The range extent was estimated using herbarium specimens and photo-based observations collected between 1994 and 2025 (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025).
Occurrences Comments
By applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium records and photo-based observations documented between 1994 and 2025, there are estimated to be over 1,700 occurrences in North America (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025). However, this taxon is commonly cultivated, and iNaturalist observations (>28,000) were not evaluated for evidence of cultivation (iNaturalist 2025).
Threat Impact Comments
Kalmia latifolia is threatened by development, rights-of-way construction and maintenance, invasive species, logging, succession, and over-collection from the wild for horticultural/ornamental purposes (NatureServe 2025).
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Kalmia latifolia occurs in "rocky or sandy hardwood forests on mountain slopes, stream bluffs, ravines, or in pure, dense thickets" from 0-1900 m in elevation (FNA 2009).
Terrestrial Habitats
Forest/WoodlandForest - Hardwood
Other Nations (2)
CanadaNNA
United StatesN5
ProvinceRankNative
MarylandSNRYes
KentuckyS5Yes
PennsylvaniaS5Yes
IndianaS3Yes
VermontS3Yes
South CarolinaS5Yes
AlabamaSNRYes
ConnecticutSNRYes
VirginiaS5Yes
West VirginiaS5Yes
LouisianaS2Yes
TennesseeSNRYes
FloridaS3Yes
OhioSNRYes
Rhode IslandSNRYes
MaineS2Yes
DelawareS5Yes
New JerseyS5Yes
District of ColumbiaSNRYes
MassachusettsSNRYes
GeorgiaS5Yes
North CarolinaS5Yes
New HampshireSNRYes
MississippiS4Yes
New YorkS5Yes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
1 - Residential & commercial developmentUnknownUnknownUnknown
4 - Transportation & service corridorsUnknownUnknownUnknown
5 - Biological resource useUnknownUnknownUnknown
5.2 - Gathering terrestrial plantsUnknownUnknownUnknown
5.3 - Logging & wood harvestingUnknownUnknownUnknown
7 - Natural system modificationsUnknownUnknownUnknown
7.1 - Fire & fire suppressionUnknownUnknownUnknown
7.1.2 - Suppression in fire frequency/intensityUnknownUnknownUnknown
8 - Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseasesUnknownUnknownUnknown
8.1 - Invasive non-native/alien species/diseasesUnknownUnknownUnknown
8.1.1 - Unspecified speciesUnknownUnknownUnknown

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Plant Characteristics
DurationPERENNIAL
Economic Value (Genus)No
Roadless Areas (142)
Alabama (3)
AreaForestAcres
Blue MountainTalladega National Forest4,986
Cheaha ATalladega National Forest236
Cheaha BTalladega National Forest741
Georgia (15)
AreaForestAcres
Big MountainChattahoochee National Forest1,974
Boggs CreekChattahoochee National Forest2,073
Cedar MountainChattahoochee National Forest1,083
Ellicott Rock AdditionChattahoochee National Forest690
Helton CreekChattahoochee National Forest2,348
Indian Grave GapChattahoochee National Forest1,020
Joe GapChattahoochee National Forest5,321
Kelly RidgeChattahoochee National Forest8,325
Ken MountainChattahoochee National Forest527
Lance CreekChattahoochee National Forest9,025
Miller CreekChattahoochee National Forest701
Pink KnobChattahoochee National Forest12,127
Rocky MountainChattahoochee National Forest4,269
Sarah's CreekChattahoochee National Forest6,888
Turner CreekChattahoochee National Forest1,495
Kentucky (1)
AreaForestAcres
WolfpenDaniel Boone National Forest2,835
New Hampshire (3)
AreaForestAcres
Carr MountainWhite Mountain National Forest17,110
JobildunkWhite Mountain National Forest3,660
Mt. Wolf - Gordon PondWhite Mountain National Forest11,846
North Carolina (28)
AreaForestAcres
Bald MountainPisgah National Forest11,085
Balsam ConePisgah National Forest10,591
Barkers Creek (addition)Nantahala National Forest975
BearwallowPisgah National Forest4,113
Big Indian (addition)Nantahala National Forest1,155
Boteler PeakNantahala National Forest4,205
Cheoah BaldNantahala National Forest7,795
Chunky Gal (addition)Nantahala National Forest3,336
Craggy MountainPisgah National Forest2,657
Dobson KnobPisgah National Forest6,111
Graveyard Ridge (addition)Pisgah National Forest1,958
Harper CreekPisgah National Forest7,325
Jarrett CreekPisgah National Forest7,485
Laurel MountainPisgah National Forest5,683
Linville Gorge AdditionPisgah National Forest2,809
Little Indian (addition)Nantahala National Forest640
Lost CovePisgah National Forest5,944
Mackey MountainPisgah National Forest5,934
Middle Prong AdditionPisgah National Forest1,852
Overflow CreekNantahala National Forest3,379
Sam Knob (addition)Pisgah National Forest2,576
SnowbirdNantahala National Forest8,489
South Mills RiverPisgah National Forest8,588
Tusquitee BaldNantahala National Forest13,670
Wesser BaldNantahala National Forest4,061
Wilson CreekPisgah National Forest4,863
Woods MountainPisgah National Forest9,602
Yellowhammer Branch (add.)Nantahala National Forest1,255
Pennsylvania (5)
AreaForestAcres
Allegheny FrontAllegheny National Forest7,430
Clarion RiverAllegheny National Forest3,821
CornplanterAllegheny National Forest2,929
Minister ValleyAllegheny National Forest1,417
Tracy RidgeAllegheny National Forest9,034
South Carolina (3)
AreaForestAcres
Bee CoveSumter National Forest3,025
Big MountainSumter National Forest2,337
Ellicott Rock 2Sumter National Forest517
Tennessee (14)
AreaForestAcres
Bald MountainCherokee National Forest11,743
Bald River Gorge AdditionCherokee National Forest1,728
Beaver Dam CreekCherokee National Forest5,070
Big Laurel Branch AdditionCherokee National Forest5,577
Brushy RidgeCherokee National Forest7,469
Devil's BackboneCherokee National Forest4,287
Flint Mill GapCherokee National Forest9,494
London Bridge BranchCherokee National Forest3,387
Rogers RidgeCherokee National Forest4,738
Sampson Mountain AdditionCherokee National Forest3,064
Slide HollowCherokee National Forest4,057
Stone MountainCherokee National Forest5,367
Sycamore CreekCherokee National Forest6,984
Upper Bald RiverCherokee National Forest9,202
Virginia (50)
AreaForestAcres
Adams PeakGeorge Washington National Forest7,135
Bear CreekJefferson National Forest18,274
Beards MountainGeorge Washington National Forest7,505
Beartown Addition AJefferson National Forest1,370
Beartown Addition BJefferson National Forest2,985
Beaver Dam CreekJefferson National Forest1,135
Broad RunJefferson National Forest10,971
Brush MountainJefferson National Forest6,002
Brush Mountain EastJefferson National Forest4,916
Brushy MountainJefferson National Forest4,168
Crawford MountainGeorge Washington National Forest9,892
Dolly AnnGeorge Washington National Forest7,855
Elliott KnobGeorge Washington National Forest9,380
Garden MountainJefferson National Forest3,960
Gum RunGeorge Washington National Forest12,620
Hoop HoleJefferson National Forest4,652
Horse HeavenJefferson National Forest4,748
Hunting Camp Little Wolf CreekJefferson National Forest8,953
James River AdditionJefferson National Forest1,140
JerkemtightGeorge Washington National Forest16,687
Kelley MountainGeorge Washington National Forest7,590
Laurel ForkGeorge Washington National Forest9,967
Little Dry Run AdditionJefferson National Forest2,204
Little RiverGeorge Washington National Forest27,292
Little Walker MountainJefferson National Forest9,818
Little Wilson Creek Addition BJefferson National Forest1,725
Mill MountainGeorge Washington National Forest10,840
Mottesheard (VA)Jefferson National Forest2,596
Mountain Lake Addition AJefferson National Forest1,469
Mountain Lake Addition B (VA)Jefferson National Forest3,405
Mountain Lake Addition CJefferson National Forest494
Mt. PleasantGeorge Washington National Forest8,933
New London Bridge BranchJefferson National Forest844
North Fork PoundJefferson National Forest4,757
North MountainJefferson National Forest8,377
Northern MassanuttenGeorge Washington National Forest9,444
Oak KnobGeorge Washington National Forest10,882
Oliver MountainGeorge Washington National Forest13,090
Peters Mountain Addition A (VA)Jefferson National Forest1,268
Peters Mountain Addition BJefferson National Forest2,909
Raccoon BranchJefferson National Forest4,388
Ramseys Draft AdditionGeorge Washington National Forest12,781
Saint Marys AdditionGeorge Washington National Forest1,454
Seng MountainJefferson National Forest6,428
Shawvers Run AdditionJefferson National Forest1,927
SkidmoreGeorge Washington National Forest5,641
Southern MassanuttenGeorge Washington National Forest11,985
The PriestGeorge Washington National Forest5,737
Three RidgesGeorge Washington National Forest4,745
Three SistersGeorge Washington National Forest8,149
West Virginia (20)
AreaForestAcres
Canaan LoopMonongahela National Forest7,867
Cheat MountainMonongahela National Forest8,191
Cranberry AdditionMonongahela National Forest11,123
Cranberry Glades Botanical AreaMonongahela National Forest785
Dolly Sods Roaring PlainMonongahela National Forest13,392
Dry River (WV)George Washington National Forest7,331
East Fork Of GreenbrierMonongahela National Forest7,167
Falls Of Hills CreekMonongahela National Forest6,925
Glady ForkMonongahela National Forest3,239
Laurel ForkMonongahela National Forest1,172
Little MountainMonongahela National Forest8,172
Marlin MountainMonongahela National Forest9,344
Mcgowan MountainMonongahela National Forest10,504
Middle MountainMonongahela National Forest19,020
Mottesheard (WV)Jefferson National Forest3,964
Mountain Lake Addition B (WV)Jefferson National Forest557
North Mountain HopevilleMonongahela National Forest6,525
Peters Mountain Addition A (WV)Jefferson National Forest343
Seneca CreekMonongahela National Forest22,287
Tea Creek MountainMonongahela National Forest8,295
References (10)
  1. Flora of North America Editorial Committee (FNA). 2009. Flora of North America north of Mexico. Vol. 8. Magnoliophyta: Paeoniaceae to Ericaceae. Oxford University Press, New York. xxiv + 585 pp.
  2. Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). 2025. Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) data portal. Online. Available: https://www.gbif.org/ (accessed 2025).
  3. iNaturalist. 2025. Online. Available: https://www.inaturalist.org (accessed 2025).
  4. Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
  5. Little, E.L., Jr. 1979. Checklist of United States trees (native and naturalized). Agriculture Handbook No. 541. U.S. Forest Service, Washington, D.C. 375 pp.
  6. Native Plant Trust. 2025. Go Botany website. Online. Available: https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org (accessed 2025).
  7. Plants of the World Online (POWO). 2025. Plants of the World Online. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Online. Available: https://powo.science.kew.org/ (accessed 2025).
  8. <p>NatureServe's Rapid Analysis of Rarity and Endangerment Conservation Assessment Tool (RARECAT). 2025. Version: 2.1.1 (released April 04, 2025).</p>
  9. Southwest Environmental Information Network (SEINet). 2025. Collections Databases. Online. Available: https://swbiodiversity.org/seinet/collections/index.php (accessed 2025).
  10. Weakley, A.S., and Southeastern Flora Team. 2025. Flora of the southeastern United States Web App. Edition of February 18, 2025. University of North Carolina Herbarium (NCU), North Carolina Botanical Garden, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Online. Available: https://fsus.ncbg.unc.edu (accessed 2025).