Search Fact Sheets Virginia Tech Dendrology

sheep laurel Ericaceae Kalmia angustifolia L. Listen to the Latin Print a QR link to this factsheet symbol: KAAN
Leaf: Whorled (but may be opposite), evergreen, thickened, elliptical, entire margins; 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches long; green to blue-green above, pale green below.
Flower: Pretty clusters of pink to purple (occasionally white) bell-shaped flowers each 3/8 inch across; appear from axils of last years leaves in spring.
Fruit: Small, 5-parted woody capsules; ripen in early fall; persistent through the winter and into spring.
Twig: Slender, green turning brown; buds small.
Bark: Brown, becoming finely scaly.
Form: Low growing, open crowned shrub that may reach 3 feet in height. Spreads by root suckering.
 Looks like: mountain laurel - bog laurel - pink azalea

sheep laurel leaf image
sheep laurel flower image
sheep laurel fruit image
sheep laurel twig image
sheep laurel bark image
sheep laurel form image
sheep laurel map image

Additional Range Information: Kalmia angustifolia is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. Download the full-size PDF map.
External Links: USDAFS FEIS Silvics - USDA Plants Database
All material 2025 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson; Silvics reprinted from Ag Handbook 654; range map source information