Mountain laurel, Wildflower island

otherwise known as Kalmia latifolia, to either those in the know or to snoots and geeks who get their kicks by speaking in dead languages and botanical terms. No matter the name you call it, it's pretty fabulous and was one of the goodies in bloom at wildflower island this weekend. The bark is sweet too. Though it's native to the east coast and maybe even the state plant for Pennsylvania or Connecticut, it's the first time I've seen it growing wild.