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| Kalmia latifolia
Mountain kalmiaA true work of art, the beautiful cup-shaped flowers are 5-sided, white, pink or deep rose colored, 4/5" - 1" diameter and occur in large 3-5" corymbs. The throat of the corolla is usually intricately marked with either a red or purple band at the base. The red to purple anthers also contribute to the interest of the flower. Each mature flower contains 10 stamens with sensitive filaments held by their anthers in pouches at the corners of the corolla, which spring out when they are disturbed to pollinate the stigma. Even the balloon-like and ribbed unopened flowers contribute much interest. In central Illinois, the flowers typically open from the end of May into early June, producing a showy display worth telling your neighbors about. The flower display however, is not reliably hardy in the Midwest. |
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