Mountain laurel is a lovely shrub that is native to the eastern regions of the United States. It is known for its beautiful, evergreen leaves and showy, fragrant flowers that bloom in the spring. The mountain laurel is also known by other names, such as calico bush, spoonwood, and ivy bush. These synonyms reflect the varied characteristics of this versatile shrub. Calico bush, for example, refers to the colorful markings on the leaves of the mountain laurel, while spoonwood alludes to the fact that native Americans carved spoons from the wood of this plant. Ivy bush, on the other hand, highlights the vine-like qualities of the mountain laurel.