Bot. Also calmia. [mod.L., f. Kalm, name of a pupil of Linnæus.] A genus of American evergreen shrubs, N.O. Ericaceæ, with showy flowers; the principal species being the American Laurel, K. latifolia.
1776. J. Lee, Bot., Table i. 282. Kalmia, dwarf American laurel.
1784. Anna Seward, Lett. (1811), I. 15. Dr. Darwin … asked if I had seen the Calmia.
1841. Bryant, Poems, Earth’s Children Cling to Earth. Yon wreath of mist that leaves the vale … Clings to the fragrant Kalmia.
