Kalmia polifolia
 
Bog Laurel

Ovary Top, Style Removed

Fir River Shelter on Fir River Road, West of Hudson Bay
09-June-2015

Note the ovary is 5-lobed.

This plant contains a diterpene called grayanotoxin I (also known as andromedotoxin or acetyl-andromedol) that is poisonous to livestock.

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Polifolia: Answers to key questions in Flora of Alberta leading to this species. 
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leaves 2-4 cm long; NOT [leaves 1-2 cm long]

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leaves usually more than twice as long as wide; NOT [leaves usually less than twice as long as wide]

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plants mostly more than 30 cm tall; NOT [plants 10-20 cm tall]

 

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Kalmia: Answers to key questions in Budd's Flora and Flora of Alberta leading to this genus. 
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stems erect; NOT [stems prostrate to decumbent or creeping]

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leaves opposite; NOT [leaves alternate]

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leaves white glaucous below

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leaves not scaly resinous below

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leaves not rusty tomentose below

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flowers pink; NOT [flowers white]

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petals more or less united; NOT [petals free]

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corolla rotate; NOT [corolla urn-shaped]

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corolla 6-12 mm across; NOT [corolla 5-7 mm long]

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stamens 10; NOT [stamens 5]

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anthers awnless; NOT [anthers awned]

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ovary superior; NOT [ovary inferior]

 

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Ericaceae: Answers to key questions in Budd's Flora leading to this family.  Note all the answers do not apply to all members of Ericaceae, but they all do apply to Kalmia. 
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large shrubs; NOT [dwarf shrubs], NOT [trees with pinnately compound leaves], NOT [herbs]

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leaves opposite or whorled; NOT [leaves alternate]

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stems bearing few to several flowers; NOT [stems bearing a solitary flower]

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flowers with two floral rings

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petals wholly or partly united forming a tube or bell

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stamens 5-10; NOT [stamens 2]

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ovary superior; NOT [ovary inferior]

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fruit a capsule; NOT [fruit fleshy]