History of the Pennsylvania State Flower
The Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia) became Pennsylvania's official state flower on May 5, 1933, following a campaign led by the State Federation of Pennsylvania Women. This native plant has deep roots in the region's history, with indigenous peoples utilizing its wood for centuries before European settlement.
In the 18th century, the plant caught the attention of Swedish botanist Peter Kalm, who named the genus after himself in 1750. The Mountain Laurel's beauty and abundance in Pennsylvania's forests made it a natural choice for state flower.
Prior to its official designation, a 1929 school children's poll favored the Pink Azalea.
However, the Mountain Laurel's wider distribution and hardiness ultimately won out. Its selection also aligned with a broader trend of states adopting native flora as symbols in the early 20th century.
Since its adoption, the Mountain Laurel has become a beloved symbol of Pennsylvania, featured in state imagery and protected in many natural areas throughout the Commonwealth.
In the 18th century, the plant caught the attention of Swedish botanist Peter Kalm, who named the genus after himself in 1750. The Mountain Laurel's beauty and abundance in Pennsylvania's forests made it a natural choice for state flower.
Prior to its official designation, a 1929 school children's poll favored the Pink Azalea.
However, the Mountain Laurel's wider distribution and hardiness ultimately won out. Its selection also aligned with a broader trend of states adopting native flora as symbols in the early 20th century.
Since its adoption, the Mountain Laurel has become a beloved symbol of Pennsylvania, featured in state imagery and protected in many natural areas throughout the Commonwealth.
Physical Characteristics of the Mountain Laurel
The Mountain Laurel is an evergreen shrub known for its distinctive appearance. Typically growing 5-15 feet tall, it can occasionally reach heights of up to 30 feet. Its leathery, elliptical leaves are dark green and glossy, measuring 3-4 inches long.
The plant's most striking feature is its clusters of star-shaped flowers, which bloom in late spring to early summer. These flowers, ranging from white to pink with purple markings, form in large, showy corymbs up to 6 inches across. Each individual blossom is about 1 inch wide.
Mountain Laurel's bark is thin and scaly, often appearing reddish-brown on younger branches. As the plant ages, the trunk becomes twisted and gnarly, adding to its aesthetic appeal. The root system is fibrous and shallow, allowing the plant to thrive in rocky, acidic soils typical of its native habitats in eastern North America.
The plant's most striking feature is its clusters of star-shaped flowers, which bloom in late spring to early summer. These flowers, ranging from white to pink with purple markings, form in large, showy corymbs up to 6 inches across. Each individual blossom is about 1 inch wide.
Mountain Laurel's bark is thin and scaly, often appearing reddish-brown on younger branches. As the plant ages, the trunk becomes twisted and gnarly, adding to its aesthetic appeal. The root system is fibrous and shallow, allowing the plant to thrive in rocky, acidic soils typical of its native habitats in eastern North America.