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Submit a photoBog Laurel
Kalmia polifolia
A small evergreen shrub of Alberta's sphagnum bogs, with narrow leathery leaves (white-woolly beneath, edges curled) and striking clusters of deep pink saucer-shaped flowers. Like its rhododendron relatives, every part contains grayanotoxins — do not let livestock or pets browse. A good indicator of undisturbed acidic wetland.
Quick Facts
Distribution
Boreal bogs & muskeg, Zone 1
Light
Full sun (in bogs)
Bloom Time
June–July
Soil
Acidic peat / sphagnum; wet
Water
High; saturated acidic substrate
Growing & Cultivation
Propagation
Difficult outside specialized bog gardens. Semi-hardwood cuttings in summer with rooting hormone, kept in high humidity. Seed is dust-like, surface-sown on damp sphagnum.
Always verify plant identification with multiple sources before consuming any wild plant. This information is for educational purposes only.
