168 Bulletin 145 



and rhododendrons are closely allied, are well worthy the distinc- 

 tion, so preeminent are they for richness of evergreen foliage as 

 well as for flowei". Vermont boasts three species of kalmia. In 

 passing it is worthy of note that Linneaus chose this rather curi- 

 ous name in honor of his pupil, Peter Kalm, who was sent to 

 America as a botanical explorer by the Royal Academy of Sweden 

 m 1748. He spent some weeks in the Champlain valley, carrying 

 many plants back to Europe for study and naming. He was doubt- 

 less the first botanist to visit Vermont. Among other things 

 he recorded the fact that the young sheep of the early colonists 

 browsing in winter upon the evergreen leaves of the laurel were 

 fatally poisoned and that other stock were made very sick, Kalm's 

 observations were made especially on the mountain laurel. Later 

 records showed the sheep laurel to be similarly poisonous. It has 

 also been shown that honey made from these two plants is poison- 

 ous, and it is claimed by some that when partridges feed on the 

 buds their flesh is rendered unwholesome. The flowers of all 

 the kalmias are curious and interesting. They are saucer-shaped 

 with their stamens bent backward and anthers concealed until 

 maturity in pockets in the corolla. When the blossom is fully 

 open and these are touched by a visiting insect they are released 

 and with a spring-like action dust pollen over the visitor's body, 

 thus insuring cross-pollination. Someone has compared them in 

 form to miniature parasols, the corolla to the cover, the reflexed 

 stamens to the ribs, and the central style to the handle. The 

 illustrations, especially of the mountain laurel, will help to make 

 these points clearer, but they need to be seen in a fresh blossom 

 if one is fully to appreciate their beauty. 



1. Leaves bright green both sides, relatively broad, i. e. one inch 

 or more wide by two to three long Mountain laurel. 



1. Leaves paler or whitish underneath, relatively narrow, i. e. one- 



half inch or less wide 2. 



2. Leaves with margins rolled strongly backward, white under- 



neath, flower clusters at end of branch Pale laurel. 



2. Leaves not so rolled or white underneath, flower clusters along 

 side of branch with young leafy shoots at end.. Sheep laurel. 



