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Cressler, Alan

Kalmia microphylla

Kalmia microphylla (Hook.) A. Heller

Alpine Laurel

Ericaceae (Heath Family)

Synonym(s): Kalmia microphylla ssp. occidentalis, Kalmia microphylla var. occidentalis, Kalmia occidentalis, Kalmia polifolia ssp. microphylla, Kalmia polifolia ssp. occidentalis, Kalmia polifolia var. microphylla

USDA Symbol: KAMI

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N)

A low matted plant with several deep rose-purple, bowl-shaped flowers facing upward on slender stalks growing near tops of leafy stems.

This species is sometimes called K. polifolia ssp. microphylla. Its close relative, the lower-elevation Bog Laurel (K. polifolia), is usually 8-20 inches (20-50 cm) high and has leaves 3/4-1 1/2 inches (2-4 cm) long with edges tightly rolled under. The smaller Western Swamp Laurel (K. occidentalis), found from the lowlands of Alaska south to Oregon, has flowers 1/2-3/4 of an inch (1.5-2 cm) wide.

From the Image Gallery

2 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Subshrub
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Spreading to erect, up to about 30 inches tall.
Leaf: Dark Green

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Pink , Purple
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun
Bloom Notes: Usually rose-purple, rarely white.

Distribution

USA: AK , CA , CO , ID , MT , NV , OR , UT , WA , WY
Canada: AB , BC , ON
Native Distribution: Alaska south to southern California and central Colorado.
Native Habitat: Bogs and wet mountain meadows.

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Wet
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium

Benefit

Warning: POISONOUS PARTS: All parts. Highly Toxic, Maybe Be Fatal if Eaten! Symptoms include: salivation, watering of eyes and nose, slow pulse, nausea, vomiting, sweating, abdominal pain, headache, tingling of skin, lack of coordination, convulsions, paralysis. Toxic Principle: Andromedotoxin, a resinoid; arbutin, a glycoside. (Poisonous Plants of N.C.)

Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Find Seed or Plants

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:		OBL	OBL							OBL

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Kalmia microphylla in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Kalmia microphylla in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Kalmia microphylla

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-04-03
Research By: TWC Staff

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