648 



A TEXT-BOOK OF BOTANY. 



FIG. 352. Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia). This is a handsome evergreen shrub 

 growing on rocky hills and in damp soils in the eastern United States. The foliage is bright 

 green, and the showy flowers occur in terminal corymbs, being either of a whitish or pink 

 color. The leaves of many species of Kalmia are said to be poisonous to animals, which is 

 especially true of the Sheep Laurel, known as Lambkill (Kalmia anguslifolia), which is 

 not infrequent on hillsides and pastures. After Troth. 



The poisonous principle andromedotoxin is found in a number 

 of species of Rhododendron, Leucothoe, and Pieris. This principle 

 is a powerful emetic and one of the most toxic principles known. 



