bog laurel, Kalmia polifolia

Bog or pale laurel is in fact a bog plant. You have to get into it to see it. Bogs often have a ring of open water around the mat that seems to average about three feet deep. That was the case the first time I waded in for laurel. Well worth it! The open flowers here have been pollinated. Before pollinators arrives at each, those anthers are tucked in the pockets in the sides of the corolla. When the first one lands, they literally spring into action, depositing pollen sacks on the undeside of the bug. What a beautiful and intricate flower. But don't eat the honey. The plant is very toxic, and there are records of animals, including humans, being sickened by honey from this nectar. Bog laurel grows in AK, CT, MA, ME, MI, MN, MT, NH, NJ(E), NY(V), PA, RI(T), VT, WI, AB, LB, MB, NB, NF, NS, NT, NU, ON, PE, QC, SK, YT, and on SPM. Mackinac Co MI, 5/27/17.