Names and Myths

Kalmia Named by Linnaeus in honor of Swedish naturalist and his student of Peter Kalm.¹

latifolia broad-leaved.

Natural history / Folklore

Peter Kalm was sent by the Swedish government to North America to look for plants that would grow in northern climates and that might be used as a source of dyes or medicines.⁵⁴

Poisonous if eaten. Widely used in landscaping, and the leaves are a source for a yellow dye.³⁵

Description

May - July, Pink bowl shaped sentless flowers, on  3-15 ft. shrubs with broad evergreen leaves. Rocky wooded areas