Bog Laurel
Kalmia polifolia
photo by user Meggar
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Ericaceae
- Genus:
- Kalmia
- Species:
- Kalmia polifolia
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub
- Height:
- 3-4 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun, Part Shade, Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- may, jun
- Bloom Colors:
- White, Pink
- Evergreen Shrub:
- Yes
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Native Range
United States: Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wisconsin, Canada: Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★☆☆ Based on number of butterfly and moth species using this genus as host plant (Source: National Wildlife Federation)
- Bee Keystone:
- ★★★★★ Based on number of native bee species using this genus for pollen and nectar (Source: National Wildlife Federation)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Apharetra dentata, arcadia sallow moth (Xylotype arcadia), lanceolate dagger moth (Acronicta lanceolaria), Idas blue (Lycaeides idas)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Brown-belted bumble bee (Bombus griseocollis), Brown-belted bumble bee (Bombus griseocollis), Half-black bumble bee (Bombus vagans), Half-black bumble bee (Bombus vagans), Hunt's bumble bee (Bombus huntii), Hunt's bumble bee (Bombus huntii), Tri-colored bumble bee (Bombus ternarius), Tri-colored bumble bee (Bombus ternarius), Two-form bumble bee (Bombus bifarius), Two-form bumble bee (Bombus bifarius), Yellow-faced bumble bee (Bombus vosnesenskii), Yellow-faced bumble bee (Bombus vosnesenskii)
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- peaty, acidic, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 4.0 - 5.5 (strongly acidic)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Commonly found in bogs and wetlands
Germination Information
Pre-treatment: Not given
Establishment: The provided protocol lacks specific information on propagation source, pre-treatment, establishment protocol, temperature, germination rate, and germination time range for Andromeda polifolia.
Source: npn.rngr.net