Native Plants
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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 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), 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.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: PurpleBloom Time: Apr , May
Distribution
USA: AK , CA , CO , ID , MT , NV , OR , UT , WA , WYCanada: AB , BC , ON
Native Distribution: Alaska south to southern California and central Colorado.
Native Habitat: Bogs and wet mountain meadows.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: MediumLight 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 |
Additional resources
USDA: Find Kalmia microphylla in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Kalmia microphylla in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Kalmia microphylla
Metadata
Record Modified: 2015-04-22Research By: TWC Staff