Carolina Laurel
Kalmia angustifolia subsp. carolina
- Native to:
- United States
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Ericaceae
- Genus:
- Kalmia
- Species:
- Kalmia angustifolia subsp. carolina
- USDA Symbol:
- KACA2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub
- Height:
- 150 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- pink, rose, purple
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★★☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
- Pollen Specialist Bee Keystone:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Native pollen specialist bee species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Acrobasis amplexella, Azalea sphinx (Darapsa choerilus), Brown angle shades (Phlogophora periculosa), Chain-lined geometer moth (Cingilia catenaria), Columbia silk moth (Hyalophora columbia), Coptodisca kalmiella, Eupithecia russeliata, gray-banded leafroller (Argyrotaenia mariana), Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar), kalmia leaftier moth (Pseudexentera kalmiana), lilac sphinx (Sphinx kalmiae), mottled gray carpet moth (Cladara limitaria), Olethreutes melanomesa, Parornix kalmiella, probole moth (Probole nepiasaria), Pseudexentera cressoniana, Red-fronted Emerald (Nemoria rubrifrontaria), Slender clearwing (Hemaris gracilis), Syngrapha epigaea, white slant-line (Tetracis cachexiata), yellow-headed fireworm (Acleris minuta), Brown Elfin (Incisalia augustinus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from root crown following fire. Often increases in abundance in fire-maintained communities.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, acidic, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 4.5 - 6.0 (acidic to slightly acidic)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- thrives in acidic bogs and sandy barrens
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–42 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination. Surface sow on moist, acidic medium.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Cold-moist stratification for 60 days.
Source: Claude AI