Kalmia microphylla var. occidentalis
Rhodora 76: 340. 1974 ,.
Common names: Western swamp laurel
Basionym: Kalmia occidentalis Small in N. L. Britton et al., N. Amer. Fl. 29: 53. 1914
Synonyms: Kalmia microphylla subsp. occidentalis (Small) Roy L. Taylor & MacBryde
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 8. Treatment on page 484.
Revision as of 00:17, 28 May 2020 by imported>Volume Importer
Shrubs not compact, 0.2–0.6(–0.8) m; twig nodes mostly 1+ cm apart. Leaf blades lanceolate, 2–4 cm, 2.5–4 times as long as wide. Flowers: calyx light pink, 7–10 mm diam.; corolla rose-purple, 15–20 mm diam.
Phenology: Flowering Apr–Jun.
Habitat: Open bogs, wet meadows
Elevation: 0-900 m
Distribution
B.C., Alaska, Oreg., Wash.
Discussion
Variety occidentalis and Kalmia polifolia are strikingly similar. Both have the same general habit and size and are very similar in most morphological characteristics. These taxa are easily separated by the revolute leaf margins and small stalked glands along the leaf midrib in K. polifolia, which are lacking in var. occidentalis (J. E. Ebinger 1974). Hybrids between them are sterile (R. A. Jaynes 1988).
Selected References
None.
Lower Taxa
None.