Multifoliate Kalmia

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Many-leaved Kalmia (lat. Kalmia polifolia) - an evergreen plant with a compact and dense crown from the Kalmia genus, which is listed in the Heather family (Latin Ericaceae). Unlike many species of the genus Kalmia, which prefer well-drained soils, which guarantee the absence of destructive dampness, the multifoliate Kalmia chose the cold swamps of North America for its life. This does not prevent the plant from acquiring numerous narrow leaves and goblet pink flowers.

What's in your name

The Kalmiya genus is named after the Swedish-Finnish botanist Per Kalma (Per Kalm), who brought some plant species of this genus from America and managed to root them on European soil.

Originally, this type of plant was called "Kalmia GLAUCA", in which the word "GLAUCA" is translated from Latin as "gray" or "sparkling". Later, botanists renamed it to "Kalmia polifolia", the translation of which is interpreted as "Kalmia polifolia".

The plant has popular names, among which the leader is "Swamp American Laurel" or simply "Swamp Laurel", since it is seen not only in the swamps of the eastern American states, but also in the marshlands of Canada and England.

Description

Many-leaved Kalmia is a small shrub that grows to a height of 0.6 meters. Its thin shoots, growing from the base in several pieces, are colored from gray to red-brown tones. The stems often lie on the surface of the ground, intricately intertwining with each other. They are covered with a grayish-brown bark, the smooth surface of which is broken here and there by small cracks.

The narrow-lanceolate simple leaves of Kalmia multifoliate could be confused with the leaves of Kalmia angustifolia, if it also grew in swamps. But Kalmia narrow-leaved prefers dry soil. The leaves of Calmia multifoliate are born from round, reddish-brown buds.

The leaves of Calmia multifoliate are considered evergreen, but in some cases they can fall off in the winter, or, after drying, remain in this form on the bushes for the winter. The surface of the leaves is dark green, shiny, leathery. The reverse side of the leaf is light, almost white.

The leaves on the stem are opposite, sometimes forming whorled communities. The distinctly curled edge of the leaf gives rise to the impression of caring, as if one leaf hugs another leaf, protecting it from the vicissitudes of existence. In some cases, the leaves can be petiolate.

At the end of spring, Calmia multifoliate shows the world carpal inflorescences formed by goblet flowers from white (less often), pink to purple shades.

At the beginning of autumn, the fruits of the plant ripen, woody capsules are urn-shaped. When ripe, they tend to crack, releasing numerous seeds, but they can remain on the bushes until spring.

The flowering shrub is very beautiful and enlivens the gloomy atmosphere of the swamp. But beware of this beauty, as it is deadly. The poisonous resins contained in all parts of Calmia multifoliate are much more toxic than the resins of other types of Calmia. The honey collected by bees from the flowers of Calmia multifoliate is also deadly to humans.

Usage

Poisons of Calmia multifoliate can help in the treatment of skin diseases, applied externally. Taking such drugs inside the body, at best, can lower blood pressure, cause bleeding, and reward diarrhea. In the worst case, taking such a "medicine" can be fatal.

The natives of America used Calmia multifoliate in ritual rituals of sacrifice to the gods.

Interestingly, reindeer can feed on Calmia multifoliate, which contains 11% dietary protein, in the spring-summer period, but at the same time be vigorous and healthy.

In the First National Garden of Canada, in Montreal, 300 species of plants have been planted, among which you can also find many-leaved Calmia.