Kalmia polifolia
 
Bog Laurel

Leaf Pair Bottom

Fir River Shelter on Fir River Road, West of Hudson Bay
09-June-2015

Note the opposite leaves.

This plant contains a diterpene called grayanotoxin I (also known as andromedotoxin or acetyl-andromedol) that is poisonous to livestock.

Polifolia: Answers to key questions in Flora of Alberta leading to this species. 

leaves 2-4 cm long; NOT [leaves 1-2 cm long]

leaves usually more than twice as long as wide; NOT [leaves usually less than twice as long as wide]

plants mostly more than 30 cm tall; NOT [plants 10-20 cm tall]

 

Kalmia: Answers to key questions in Budd's Flora and Flora of Alberta leading to this genus. 

stems erect; NOT [stems prostrate to decumbent or creeping]

leaves opposite; NOT [leaves alternate]

leaves white glaucous below

leaves not scaly resinous below

leaves not rusty tomentose below

flowers pink; NOT [flowers white]

petals more or less united; NOT [petals free]

corolla rotate; NOT [corolla urn-shaped]

corolla 6-12 mm across; NOT [corolla 5-7 mm long]

stamens 10; NOT [stamens 5]

anthers awnless; NOT [anthers awned]

ovary superior; NOT [ovary inferior]

 

Ericaceae: Answers to key questions in Budd's Flora leading to this family.  Note all the answers do not apply to all members of Ericaceae, but they all do apply to Kalmia. 

large shrubs; NOT [dwarf shrubs], NOT [trees with pinnately compound leaves], NOT [herbs]

leaves opposite or whorled; NOT [leaves alternate]

stems bearing few to several flowers; NOT [stems bearing a solitary flower]

flowers with two floral rings

petals wholly or partly united forming a tube or bell

stamens 5-10; NOT [stamens 2]

ovary superior; NOT [ovary inferior]

fruit a capsule; NOT [fruit fleshy]