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BOG LAUREL

NOMENCLATURE

Other Names: swamp laurel

 Scientific Name: Kalmia polifolia Wang

 Plant Family: Ericaceae

GENERAL INFORMATION

Botanical Description: A sparsely branched woody shrub that may be confused with bog rosemary or leatherleaf. Flower shape and color are distinctly different, however, and bog laurel leaves are more narrow and uniform than leatherleaf leaves.

 Stems: range 1 - 2 foot height, low growing, may have spreading growth habit

 Leaves: opposite, blue-green above but appear whitened below, narrow and 1 - 1.5 inches long, leathery

 Roots:

Flowers: brilliant pink to purple, cupped appearance, bloom May - June

 Seeds: Found in small (1/16 to 3/16 inch) oval-shaped capsule.

 Seedling:

ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE

LIFE CYCLE

Reproduction: perennial

 Propagation:

Dispersal:

DISTRIBUTION

State: Most common in bogs in Northern Wisconsin, north of the vegetation tension zone.

National: Found mostly in northern states, Minnesota to Connecticut. Closely related variety appears as far west as Wyoming and northern California.

 Origin:

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

Found in wild marshes and bogs. Does not commonly invade cranberry beds.

SCOUTING PROCEDURE/ET

While scouting a cranberry bed for disease and insect pests, identify weed populations as they arise. Note the specie(s) of weed present as well as the population level relative to field area. Example: 20% bog laurel, 10% boneset and joe-pye weed mix.

REFERENCES

Gleason, H. A. 1952. Illustrated Flora of the United States and Adjacent Canada. Vol 3. Lancaster Press, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. p. 14.

Kummer, L. D., T. G. Dittl, and T. D. Planer. 1993. Wisconsin Cranberry Weeds. Wisconsin Cranberry Board, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. p. 20.

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