Within each Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia) flower, the pollen-bearing anthers are initially tucked into a small pocket on the periphery. When a bee visits the flower, it will bump into the stalk-like filament, causing the bulbous anther to quickly pop out of its pocket, whack the bee, and dust it with pollen. As this bee visits other Mountain Laurel flowers, it delivers this pollen to the sticky stigma, enabling cross-pollination. You gotta be tough to be a bee! | Southern Piedmont Natural H

The mountain-laurel (Kalmia latifolia) are in full bloom here in the Philadelphia area, and they are super gorgeous! I make sure to get out and see them each year when they flower. Growing as a gnarled understory shrub or small tree, the mountain-laurel likes cool, well-drained, acidic soils. It's rather tough to grow these in cultivation, but they do sell various cultivars with all sorts of interesting flower modifications. #nativeplants #nativetrees #tree #plants #shrubs #mountainlaurel #kalmi

Welcome back to its poppin’! Today, Tom is highlighting mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia).🌸 This native plant is commonly found in southeast Ohio and has a unique way of spreading its pollen.🐝 Check out this plant during your next stroll through the June Room! | The Holden Arboretum