Mountain laurel is the official state flower of Connecticut — a native shrub with clusters of intricately marked pink-and-white blooms.

• Official flower: Mountain laurel
• Scientific name: Kalmia latifolia
• Year adopted: 1907
• Native range: the eastern U.S.

About the mountain laurel

Connecticut adopted mountain laurel in 1907. Its cup-shaped flowers, dotted with tiny spots and ranging from white to rich pink, open in dense clusters in early summer. The evergreen shrub is a familiar sight in the state’s woodlands.

Where it grows

Mountain laurel is native to the eastern United States and grows throughout Connecticut’s forests, blooming in late spring and early summer.

Connecticut state flower FAQs

What is the state flower of Connecticut?

Connecticut’s state flower is the mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia), which it adopted in 1907.

When did Connecticut adopt its state flower?

Connecticut designated the mountain laurel as its official state flower in 1907.

Is mountain laurel poisonous?

Yes. Mountain laurel is toxic to humans and to livestock such as horses and cattle if the leaves or flowers are eaten.

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