kalmia

[kal-mee-uh]

noun

1. any North American evergreen shrub belonging to the genus Kalmia, of the heath family, having showy flowers, as the mountain laurel.

kalmia

/ ˈkælmɪə /

noun

1. any evergreen ericaceous shrub of the North American genus Kalmia, having showy clusters of white or pink flowers See also mountain laurel

Word History and Origins

Origin of kalmia¹

< New Latin (Linnaeus), after Peter Kalm (1715–79), Swedish botanist; -ia

Word History and Origins

Origin of kalmia¹

C18: named after Peter Kalm (1715–79), Swedish botanist and pupil of Linnaeus

Example Sentences

On the flip side, broadleaf evergreens, rhododendrons, azaleas and kalmias are to be avoided in very temperamental and unpredictable climates.

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A supply of roses, kalmias, rhododendrons, &c., and of hardy flowers and bulbs, as lily of the valley, hyacinths, tulips, daffodils, &c., should be kept up by forcing.

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Five or six species of oak, several kinds of walnut trees, beeches, chestnuts, and dogwood, formed the thick wood, the undergrowth of which consisted of Rhododendron maximum, kalmia, rhus, and tall juniper.

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In June and July the polished evergreen foliage of the kalmia bushes is almost overwhelmed by the masses of its exquisite pink blossoms, beside which the bloom of rhododendrons looks coarse and crude in coloring.

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Many flowering and fruit-bearing shrubs of the heath family add to the beauty of the mountainous districts, rhododendron and kalmia often forming impenetrable thickets.

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