| Mountain-Laurel is an evergreen large shrub or small tree, common in the Mountains, uncommon on north-facing slopes in the Piedmont, and rare in the Coastal Plain of North Carolina. Pilot Mountain, Surry Co., NC 5/16/10.
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| Unopened flower buds are pinkish. Alleghany Co., NC 5/29/05. |
| Mountain-Laurels produce showy clusters of 10-parted white to pink flowers in early-mid May in the Durham area. Chatham Co., NC 5/11/2003. |
| Chatham Co., NC 5/11/2003. |
| Orange Co., NC 5/18/08.
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| Orange Co., NC 5/18/08.
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| Grayson Co., VA 5/30/2009.
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| Grayson Co., VA 5/30/2009.
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| Developing fruits. Pilot Mountain, Surry Co., NC 6/14/09.
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| Tenaciously hanging on for survival in a cliffside crack. Pilot Mountain, Surry Co., NC 5/16/10.
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| The leathery evergreen leaves slightly resemble those of the unrelated laurel (Laurus nobilis) of Europe, but are very poisonous. Orange Co., NC 3/30/05. |
| Bark detail. Orange Co., NC 3/30/05. |
More information:
Connecticut Botanical Society
Trees of Alabama and the Southeast
University of Connecticut
Virginia Tech Dendrology
Recommended Tree, Shrub, and Woody Vine Identification Guides
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