Kalmia procumbens
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Ericaceae
Genus: Kalmia
Species:
K. procumbens
Binomial name
Kalmia procumbens
(L.) Gift & Kron & P.F.Stevens ex Galasso, Banfi & F.Conti
Synonyms

Azalea procumbens L.
Chamaecistus procumbens (L.) Kuntze
Loiseleuria procumbens (L.) Desv.

Kalmia procumbens, commonly known as alpine azalea[1] or trailing azalea,[2] is a dwarf shrub of high mountain regions of the Northern Hemisphere that usually grows no more than 10 centimeters (4 in) tall. Originally named by Linnaeus as Azalea procumbens, it is also named after French botanist L.L.A. Loiseleur-Deslongchamps - Loiseleuria procumbens.

Distribution

Kalmia procumbens is not well known though it is widely distributed. These plants are common in the subarctic regions and high mountains of the northern hemisphere. In North America it reaches the southern limit of its range in the mountains of Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and Washington. It is easy to propagate.

Habitat and ecology

Kalmia procumbens prefers alpine or subalpine, rocky exposed habitat. It grows above treeline with mountain heathers and at lower elevations in bogs.

It is a known host to the microfungus Delphinella polyspora, which grows on its pedicels and fruit.[3]

Morphology

Kalmia procumbens flowers

Individuals of this species are shrubs grown for two to five rose-pink flowers. Its leaves are opposite and its evergreen leaves are leathery blades to 8mm long and have incised margin. Edges are rolled under green on the top and white with dense short hairs underneath.

Flowers and fruit

Kalmia procumbens fruits

Flowers of Kalmia procumbens are bell shaped and five lobed, and have five stamens. The flowering time is late spring and summer.

References

  1. ↑ USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Loiseleuria procumbens". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
  2. ↑ BSBI List 2007 (xls). Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 2015-06-26. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
  3. ↑ Helgi Hallgrímsson & Guðríður Gyða Eyjólfsdóttir (2004). Íslenskt sveppatal I - smásveppir [Checklist of Icelandic Fungi I - Microfungi. Fjölrit Náttúrufræðistofnunar. Náttúrufræðistofnun Íslands [Icelandic Institute of Natural History]. ISSN 1027-832X

Notes

  1. Maine Department of Conservation Natural Areas Program: Loiseleuria procumbens (Alpine Azalea) (2004)
  2. Wiley, L. 1969. Rare wild flowers of North America. pp 308–313.
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