Summer World i: Sheep Laurel

Sheep Laurel (also called Lambkill) (Kalmia angustifolia)

In a previous post on my Photo a Day Blog, Wildflowers & Berries, I misidentified this Sheep Laurel as Mountain Laurel. I wrote that I wasn't entirely sure it was mountain laurel because of the size and age of the plant. While reading Summer World: A Season of Bounty by Bernd Heinrich, I suddenly came across a mention of swamp laurel. With that clue, John and I were able to identify our laurel as sheep laurel because of its location and growth pattern. Sheep laurel has the identifiable growth seen above. The flowers develop on last year's growth and this year's growth is above the flowers.

The best source of information about this wildflower is at www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/kalang/all.html.

And now, because of its importance and value, I will shamelessly promote Heinrich's book. The summer world that I am watching is more meaningful to me now after reading this book. Click, buy it, and enjoy a wonderful summer read:

Technorati Tags: sheep laurel, lambkill, Kalmia angustifolia
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