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Western Wetland Flora

Field Office Guide to Plant Species

Alpine Bog Laurel
Kalmia microphylla (Hook.) A. Heller

JPG -- Species Photo JPG -- Distribution Map

Family: Heath (Ericaceae)
Flowering: June-August
Field Marks: The distinguishing features of this low shrub are its oblong or oval, opposite, evergreen leaves that are less than twice as long as broad.
Habitat: Moist ground.
Habit: Low-growing, spreading shrub.
Stems: Much branched, up to 8 inches long, smooth or hairy.
Leaves: Opposite, simple, evergreen, oblong or oval, rounded or barely pointed at the tip, tapering to the nearly sessile base, dark green above, paler beneath, up to 1 inch long, more than 1/2 inch wide, smooth or slightly hairy, without teeth,
Flowers: Few in terminal clusters, up to 3/4 inch across, on smooth, slender stalks up to 2 inches long.
Sepals: 5, green, united below, 1/4-1/3 inch long, smooth, the lobes oblong to ovate.
Petals: 5, united to form a saucer, rose-purple, up to 3/4 inch across.
Stamens: 10, not exserted beyond the petals.
Pistils: Ovary superior, smooth; style slender.
Fruits: Capsules spherical, up to 1/3 inch in diameter, smooth, subtended by the persistent stipules.
Notes: Kalmia polifolia is sometimes considered the same as this species.

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Return to Species List -- Group 5
Next Species -- Pale Laurel (Kalmia polifolia)

U.S. Department of the Interior | U.S. Geological Survey
URL: http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/plants/florawe/species/5/kalmmicr.htm
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Page Last Modified: Saturday, 02-Feb-2013 06:25:51 EST
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