Sheep Laurel Kalmia angustifolia var. carolina
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Sheep Laurel:
Previously known as:
- Kalmia angustifolia subsp. carolina
- Kalmia carolina
- Phonetic Spelling
- KAL-mee-ah an-gus-tih-FOH-lee-ah kair-oh-lin-ee-AN-uh
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Sheep Laurel is a small, compact, tufted, evergreen, perennial shrub in the heath family, native to the southeastern United States and typically found in moist pine lands, swamps, and occasionally rocky areas at a high elevation. This plant can also be found in North Carolina where it is common in the coastal plain, but rare in the mountains and the piedmont. Leaves are simple, opposite or in whorls of 3. Flowers are pinkish, blossom from spring into summer in short lateral clusters, and are each saucer-shaped with 5 shallow lobes, the 10 anthers at first stuck in small pockets;. Fruit is a capsule.
Sheep Laurel prefers moist to wet sandy soil in full sun, but tolerates partial shade. It is a relatively small shrub, reaching a mature height of 6 feet with a 3 foot spread. It spreads by sucker growths at the base and plants can be propagated by seed or by pulling old plants apart in spring. In the wild, it can appear in extensive colonies.
Fire Risk: This plant has a high flammability rating and should not be planted within the defensible space of your home. Select plants with a low flammability rating for the sites nearest your home.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
No known diseases or insect pests.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Kalmia
- Species:
- angustifolia
- Family:
- Ericaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southeastern United States
- Distribution:
- Virginia south to Georgia and west to Tennessee
- Fire Risk Rating:
- high flammability
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Rounded
- Spreading
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Fruits are available between September and October.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Saucer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- fused petals
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Produces 1/2 inch rose-pink to purplish crimson flowers in spring and early summer (April - May). Grows in short lateral clusters, each saucer-shaped with 5 shallow lobes, the 10 anthers at first stuck in small pockets.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Whorled
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Opposite to whorled simple leaves; blue-green color; 1-2.5 in. long.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- High
- Poison Symptoms:
- HIGHLY TOXIC, MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN! Salivation, watering of eyes and nose, slow pulse, nausea, vomiting, sweating, abdominal pain, headache, tingling of skin, lack of coordination, convulsions, and paralysis.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Andromedotoxin, a resinoid; arbutin, a glycoside
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Bark
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Sap/Juice
- Seeds
- Stems
