kalmia

[ kal-mee-uh ]

/ ˈkæl mi ə /

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

Origin of kalmia

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

There are several kinds of Kalmia, almost all of eastern North America, the flowers alike in form.

Field Book of Western Wild Flowers |Margaret Armstrong
It is sometimes found in mixed woods, especially if there are mountain laurels in the woods (Kalmia latifolia).

The Mushroom, Edible and Otherwise |M. E. Hard
Kalmia latifolia, L. (calico bush or ivy bush of North America).

Scientific American Supplement, No. 497, July 11, 1885 |Various
In the year 1753 Linnaeus named the plant, honoring his pupil by giving to the plant the generic name Kalmia.

Birds and Nature Vol. 9 No. 5 [May 1901] |Various

The Kalmia angustifolia the natives say, is an antidote for cramp and rheumatism.

Audubon and his Journals, Volume I (of 2) |Maria R. Audubon

kalmia

/ (ˈkælmɪə) /

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

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