About Kalmia hirsuta Walter
Kalmia hirsuta, commonly known as hairy mountain-laurel or hairy wicky, is a plant species native to the southeastern United States. It has been recorded in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina. This species grows in open, sandy habitats including savannahs, sand hills, and pine barrens, at elevations below 100 m (330 feet). The specific epithet "hirsuta" translates to "covered with coarse stiff hairs", a fitting description: leaf hairiness is one of the main traits used to tell this species apart from its close relatives. Kalmia hirsuta is a shrub that reaches a maximum height of 1.2 m (4 feet). Its leaves range from elliptic to ovate in shape, and grow up to 14 mm (0.6 inches) long. Inflorescences develop in the axils of the leaves, and hold between 1 and 5 flowers each. The flowers are pink and marked with red spots.
