Plant Profile: Kalmia angustifolia var. carolina

This small, compact, tufted evergreen shrub is indigenous to the southeastern United States, thriving in moist pinelands, swamps, and occasionally in rocky high-elevation areas. It can also be found in southeastern North Carolina. The leaves are simple and can be arranged oppositely or in whorls of three. The flowers, which are pinkish and form short lateral clusters, are saucer-shaped with five shallow lobes, and initially, the ten anthers are nestled in small pockets. The fruit produced is a capsule.

Fire Risk: This plant is highly flammable and should not be planted within the defensible space around your home. It is advisable to choose plants with a low flammability rating for areas closest to your residence.

For further details on Kalmia angustifolia, please refer to additional resources.