About Kalmia procumbens (L.) Gift, Kron & P.F.Stevens
Kalmia procumbens is a species of evergreen shrub. Each individual produces two to five rose-pink flowers. Its leaves are arranged oppositely; these leathery leaf blades are up to 8 millimeters long with incised margins. The leaf edges are rolled under; leaf surfaces are green on the upper side, and white with dense short hairs on the underside. This species is widely distributed but not well known. It is common in subarctic regions and high mountains of the Northern Hemisphere. In North America, the southern limit of its range reaches the mountains of Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and Washington. Kalmia procumbens is easy to propagate. It prefers exposed rocky alpine or subalpine habitat. It grows above treeline alongside mountain heathers, and also grows at lower elevations in bogs. This plant is a known host for the microfungus Delphinella polyspora, which grows on its pedicels and fruit.
