Kalmia polifolia Swamp laurel (Ericaceae) Evergreen shrub

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Kalmia polifolia
Swamp laurel
Evergreen shrub
(1 Page of 5)

The Kalmia polifolia plant species is found in Northern N. America - Newfoundland to Hudson Bay, southwards. Nat. in Britain in a bog in Surrey. It is a member of the Ericaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Swamp laurel. Some home gardeners know the variety as K. glauca.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Kalmia polifolia
Common Name:  Swamp laurel
Family:  Ericaceae
Author:  Wangenh.

Known Hazards:  The foliage is poisonous to animals[21, 65, 76]. The whole plant is highly toxic[222].

Mature Height:  0.5   Mature Width:  0.5

Habitat:  Cold peat bogs and other wet places[11, 200].

Medicinal Information: Swamp laurel is a very poisonous narcotic plant the leaves of which were at one time used by some native North American Indian tribes in order to commit suicide[4]. It is little, it at all, used in modern herbalism though the leaves are a good external treatment for many skin diseases and inflammation[4]. The leaves are astringent and sedative[4, 21, 61]. They are used externally to make a poultice or a wash in the treatment of many skin diseases, open sores, wounds that will not heal and inflammation[4, 257]. Used internally, the leaves have a splendid effect in the treatment of active haemorrhages, diarrhoea and flux[4, 21, 61]. They should be used with great caution however, and only under the supervision of a qualified practitioner. See the notes above on toxicity.

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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