Pennsylvania State Flower–Mountain Laurel

Mountain laurel is Pennsylvania’s official state flower, and rightfully so. The mountain laurel plant has beautiful pink and white blooms that can bloom in late spring, summer, and early fall, so you can enjoy the colorful blooms all throughout the year. While this is the most common native plant to Pennsylvania, it can also grow just about anywhere in the state because it loves the hot summers and cold winters! Read more to know more about the beautiful Mountain Laurel!

The Official State Flower of Pennsylvania

The Mountain Laurel is a native plant to the Appalachian Mountains and can be found throughout the state. The flower is often used in traditional Appalachian folk medicine and has a long history of use by Native Americans. The flower was adopted as the state flower in 1933. The showy, rose-like flowers bloom in shades of pink, white, and purple from late spring to early summer. The evergreen leaves are dark green and leathery, and the shrub itself can grow to 15 feet tall. Mountain laurel has a long history of use by Native Americans. The Cherokee used an infusion of the leaves to treat fevers, and Delaware used a poultice of the leaves for wounds. The Iroquois made tea from the flowers to treat colds, and the Algonquin used the plant as an insect repellent. 

Summer Flowers

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Spring Flowers

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Winter Flowers

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Cultural Significance of Mountain Laurel

Pennsylvania’s state flower is a shrub that is native to the Appalachian Mountains in the United States. The leaves of mountain laurel are evergreen and have a glossy, dark green appearance. The flowers of mountain laurel are white or pink and bloom in the spring. Mountain laurel has been used by Native Americans for centuries. The Cherokee used mountain laurel to make tea that was used to treat colds and flu. The Iroquois used mountain laurel to make a yellow dye. Mountain laurel was also used as a medicinal herb by the Cherokee and Iroquois.

Mountain Laurel Flower Meaning

The Mountain laurel is the state flower of both Pennsylvania and Connecticut, and its scientific name, Kalmia latifolia, means “laurel-leaved Kalmia” in Latin. The plant is named after Pehr Kalm, a Finnish botanist, and explorer who studied the plant in America in the 18th century. 

Mountain Laurel Flower Facts

• The mountain laurel is a native North American evergreen shrub.
• It is found in the Appalachian Mountains from Maine to Georgia.
• The mountain laurel has leathery, dark green leaves and produces white or pink flowers in the spring.
• The mountain laurel is the state flower of both Connecticut and Pennsylvania.
• The mountain laurel is poisonous to humans and animals if ingested in large quantities.

We hope you enjoyed reading about the state flower PA –mountain laurel! We hope you’ll consider ordering a mountain laurel flower delivery for your next special occasion!

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