Kalmia microphylla

Kalmia microphylla
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Angiosperms
Class: Eudicots
Superorder: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Ericaceae
Genus: Kalmia
Species: K. microphylla
Binomial name
Kalmia microphylla

Kalmia microphylla, known as alpine laurel,[1][2] bog laurel,[3][4] swamp-laurel,[5] western bog-laurel[6] or western laurel,[2] is a species of Kalmia belonging to the Ericaceae family. It is native to North America and can be found throughout the western US and western and central Canada below the subarctic.[1]

Etymology

Kalmia, the genus, is named after Swedish-Finn botanist Pehr Kalm, a student of Carl Linnaeus, while microphylla derives from Ancient Greek meaning "small leaves".[4]

Description

Kalmia microphylla are characterized as being short, shrubs that have a maximum height of 24 inches and their growth rarely surpasses 6 ft.[2] This plant is easily mistaken for the K. polifolia "bog-laurel" because of the similar characteristics of their flowers. K. microphylla can be distinguished by their clusters of pink or purple bell shaped flowers.[5] The flowers are held within five fused petals that open in the shape of a cup. The stamens held within the petals react to insects that land on them by covering them with pollen. The plant produces green fruits, which are small and hard in form. Fruits are five parted capsules.[7] The leaves of this plant are oppositely attached and are not deciduous. Leaves are distinctly lanceolate in shape with rolled leaf edges, a leathery texture, and dark green color. The plant's branches and twigs are fuzzy in early growth and then during maturity become smooth and reddish brown to grayish in color.

Ecology

This is a perennial species and has active growth during spring and summer. These plants can frequently be found in alpine meadows,[8] open wet areas[5] and bogs.[3] The habitat in which it optimally grows in open heath or shrublands with moist soil. The soil must have very low levels of calcium carbonate because its presence the plant is intolerant of increasing acidity of the soil. Distribution of microphylla ranges from Alaska to California and now has expanded through much of northern Canada.[9]

Uses

The kalmias are very poisonous plants. This is a stock-poisoning plant and can eliminate mass amounts of mammals. Kalmia microphylla has also been used for medicinal purposes in creating external washes for skin diseases.[5] Some people boil the leaves and use it to help open sores. Although there are some positive aspects of this plant such as for medicinal purposes they should still be used with care because of its poisonous nature.

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References

  1. 1 2 "PLANTS Profile for Kalmia microphylla (alpine laurel)". United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 2011-11-20.
  2. 1 2 3 Faucon, Phillipe. "Alpine Laurel, Western Laurel". Desert Tropicals. Retrieved 2011-11-20.
  3. 1 2 Fertig, Walter. "Plant of the Week: Bog Laurel (Kalmia microphylla)". Celebrating Wildflowers. US Forest Service.
  4. 1 2 Fagan, Damian. Pacific Northwest Wildflowers. p. 172. Retrieved 2011-11-20.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Alpine Laurel". Montana plant life. Montana.Plant-Life.org. Retrieved 2011-11-20.
  6. ↑ Hong, Qian; Klinka, Karel. Plants of British Columbia. p. 62. Retrieved 2011-11-20.
  7. ↑ "Kalmia microphylla fact sheet: alpine laurel". VTree ID. Virgnina Tech Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation. Retrieved 2011-11-20.
  8. ↑ "Checklist: Ericaceae (Heath Family)". Washington Flora Checklist. University of Washington Herbarium, Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture. Retrieved 2011-11-20.
  9. ↑ "Taxon: Kalmia microphylla". GRIN. United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 2011-11-20.
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