FOEEST TEEES. 163 



KALMIA. American Laurel. 



A genus of less than a half dozen species, all native of North 

 America. Two are low shrubs, and only one growing to the 

 hight of twenty feet or more. They all have handsome ever- 

 green leaves and showy flowers. The common name ' ' laurel " 

 is a misnomer, as the Kalmias are far removed botanically from 

 the true Laurels (Laurus). The genus was named for Peter 

 Kalm, a pupil of Linnaeus, who visited this country early in 

 the last century. 



Kalmia latifolia, L, Broad-leaved Kalmia, Calico-bush, Spoon- 

 wood. Leaves oval or lance-oval, bright green on both sides. 

 Flowers in large, showy clusters ; white to deep pink or rose, 

 with crimson spots, appearing in spring or early summer. One 

 of our most beautiful native shrubs or small trees. Common 

 in damp soils and rocky woods, from Maine to Florida. Usual- 

 ly a low spreading shrub, but in favorable soils in the Middle 

 States, it reaches a hight of thirty feet, with a stem a foot or 

 more in diameter. Wood very hard and close-grained ; excel- 

 lent for handles of tools, wooden spoons, etc. 



R. angnsiifolia, L. Narrow-leaved Kalmia or Sheep Laurel. 

 Leaves very narrow, with short stalks, pale-green beneath. 

 Flowers smaller than the last, of a crimson purple color, appear- 

 ing late in spring. Has the reputation, probably unjustly so, 

 of poisoning sheep and calves, and for this reason has received 

 the common names of Lamb-kill and Kill-calf. A shrub from 

 two to three feet high, in low, dry grounds. New England to 

 Alabama. 



K. rnneata, Michx. Carolina Sheep Laurel. Leaves sessile, 

 alternate, wedge-shaped, pubescent beneath, bristle-pointed. 

 Flowers white. This is a rare shrub and may be only a variety 

 of the last. Swamps of North and South Carolina. 



R. irlanca, Ait. Pale Laurel. Leaves opposite, oblong, whit- 

 ish beneath, with revolute margins. Young branches two- 

 edged. Flowers in small terminal clusters, of a lilac-purple 

 color. A small shrub, only one or two feet high in cold bogs, 

 from Pennsylvania northward. 



R. liirsnta, Walt. Hairy-leaved, Wicky. Leaves alternate 

 opposite, hairy, and only a half inch long, oval or oblong. 

 Flowers numerous but solitary, and of a pale rose-color. A 

 shrub six to eighteen inches high, in pine-barrens. Georgia 

 and Florida. 



