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Kalmia microphylla (Hook.) Heller

Alpine laurel

Ericaceae (Heath Family)

Synonyms: Kalmia microphylla ssp. occidentalis

USDA Symbol: KAMI

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

A low matted plant with several deep pink, 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 ssp. polifolia), is usually 8-20 (20-50 cm) high and has leaves 3/4-1 1/2 (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 (1.5-2 cm) wide.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Subshrub
Leaf: Dark Green
Flower:
Fruit:

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Purple
Bloom Time: Apr , May

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

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

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Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

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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: 2007-01-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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