{"assessment":{"band":"Strong","factor_identity":{"basis":"approved shared identity","growth_habit_source":"USDA PLANTS","name_used":"Kalmia carolina"},"factor_scopes":{"bees":"Southeastern North America","birds":"North America","caterpillars":"Host genera of native Lepidoptera with established South Carolina range; association and range overlap, not confirmed local feeding.","specialists":"Eastern North America","structure":"USDA species growth habit where matched; otherwise sourced atlas growth habit"},"factors":{"applied_insect_credit":0,"baseline_score":77,"composite":0.835,"insect_support":{"credit":0,"groups":{"ants":{"credit":0,"flower_visits":[],"label":"Ants","recorded_name_count":null,"recorded_names":[],"seed_interactions":[],"status":"unknown"},"beetles":{"credit":0,"flower_visits":[],"label":"Beetles","recorded_name_count":null,"recorded_names":[],"seed_interactions":[],"status":"unknown"},"flies":{"credit":0,"flower_visits":[],"label":"Flies","recorded_name_count":null,"recorded_names":[],"seed_interactions":[],"status":"unknown"},"moths_butterflies":{"credit":0,"flower_visits":[],"label":"Adult butterflies / moths","recorded_name_count":null,"recorded_names":[],"seed_interactions":[],"status":"unknown"},"other_hymenoptera":{"credit":0,"flower_visits":[],"label":"Other wasps","recorded_name_count":null,"recorded_names":[],"seed_interactions":[],"status":"unknown"},"other_insects":{"credit":0,"flower_visits":[],"label":"Other insects","recorded_name_count":null,"recorded_names":[],"seed_interactions":[],"status":"unknown"}},"interpretation":"One provisional point per additional documented insect group, capped at five. Flower visits are a resource-use proxy, not confirmed feeding or pollination. Missing evidence is unknown. Study volume and repeated records earn no extra credit.","maximum_credit":5,"version":"insect-support-1"},"pct":{"bees":0.7239454094292804,"birds":0.7946650124069479,"caterpillars":0.8765508684863523,"specialists":0.9429280397022333,"structure":0.75},"rank_pct":0.833,"raw":{"bees":6,"birds":3,"caterpillars":22,"genus_used":["Kalmia","Leiophyllum"],"specialists":3,"structure":["Shrub"]}},"fit_score":null,"native_basis":"native_inferred","rarity_adjustment":0,"rarity_policy":"Conservation status is displayed separately and never changes ecological scores, including when unranked.","reason":"Calculated with the shared rules using South Carolina host-range and shared ecological evidence.","reference":"NC native reference cohort, method 0.6.4; not a South Carolina percentile","score":77,"scoring_inputs":{"harm_penalty":0,"invasive":false,"invasive_rank":null,"native":true,"state_rank":""},"source_ids":["lep_sc","globi","bigbee","avian","usdahabit","robertson","antseed"],"status":"scored_provisional","version":"shared-0.6.5"},"condition_evidence":{"light":{"evidence_id":"fact:ffbe676362096d19fc13cf5747f2705debe9098e54ec035e9c8dca53f20f6284","levels":[2,3,4],"policy":"selected-condition-categories-1","range":[2,4],"scope":{"kind":"region","region_id":"floraquest_nc_sc_ga"},"semantics":"documented_native_habitat_conditions","source_field":"habitat_light_categories","source_label":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)","source_url":"https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.emountainworks.android.southeastfieldguide","status":"mapped_selected_fact"},"moisture":{"evidence_id":"fact:b3db117c0a1b942fa7fa9683607621936a1d0ee82d31da34c582d85fdd037385","levels":[0,3,4],"policy":"selected-condition-categories-1","range":[0,4],"scope":{"kind":"region","region_id":"floraquest_nc_sc_ga"},"semantics":"documented_native_habitat_conditions","source_field":"habitat_moisture_categories","source_label":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)","source_url":"https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.emountainworks.android.southeastfieldguide","status":"mapped_selected_fact"}},"evidence":{"fit_score":null,"growth_habit":["Shrub"],"invasive_status":{"status":"unresolved"},"native_status":{"status":"native_inferred"},"occurrence":{"county_fips":[],"meaning":"Recorded occurrence; not a county native-range assertion"},"quercus_score":null,"regional":{"county_fips":[],"growth_habit":"shrub","growth_habit_source":"tnky_atlas","invasive":null,"invasive_evidence":[],"invasive_rank":null,"native":true,"native_evidence":[{"claim":"native","matched_name":"Kalmia angustifolia var. carolina","scope":"TN-KY","source":"tnky_atlas","url":"https://tennessee-kentucky.plantatlas.usf.edu/plant/species/909"},{"claim":"native","matched_name":"Kalmia carolina","scope":"L48","source":"usda","text":"L48:N","url":"https://plants.usda.gov/"},{"claim":"native","matched_name":"Kalmia carolina","scope":"NC","source":"nc_flora","url":"https://auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov/flora/"}],"native_status":"native_inferred","source_ids":["sernec:65320"],"source_name":"Kalmia angustifolia var. carolina","source_refs":["SC-checklist-3.html"],"source_url":"https://sernecportal.org/portal/checklists/checklist.php?pagenumber=3&clid=3141&dynclid=0&pid=84&searchsynonyms=1","state_rank":null},"source_refs":["SC-checklist-3.html"],"source_url":"https://sernecportal.org/portal/checklists/checklist.php?pagenumber=3&clid=3141&dynclid=0&pid=84&searchsynonyms=1","state_rank":{"value":null}},"fit_inputs":{"light":[2,4],"moisture":[0,4],"ph":null},"fit_provenance":{"counties":"USDA PLANTS: recorded in 40 NC counties","light":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)","moisture":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)"},"fit_record":{"band":"Strong","condition_evidence":{"light":{"evidence_id":"fact:ffbe676362096d19fc13cf5747f2705debe9098e54ec035e9c8dca53f20f6284","levels":[2,3,4],"policy":"selected-condition-categories-1","range":[2,4],"scope":{"kind":"region","region_id":"floraquest_nc_sc_ga"},"semantics":"documented_native_habitat_conditions","source_field":"habitat_light_categories","source_label":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)","source_url":"https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.emountainworks.android.southeastfieldguide","status":"mapped_selected_fact"},"moisture":{"evidence_id":"fact:b3db117c0a1b942fa7fa9683607621936a1d0ee82d31da34c582d85fdd037385","levels":[0,3,4],"policy":"selected-condition-categories-1","range":[0,4],"scope":{"kind":"region","region_id":"floraquest_nc_sc_ga"},"semantics":"documented_native_habitat_conditions","source_field":"habitat_moisture_categories","source_label":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)","source_url":"https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.emountainworks.android.southeastfieldguide","status":"mapped_selected_fact"}},"county_fips":["13241","13269","37005","37011","37013","37017","37021","37031","37041","37047","37049","37051","37055","37061","37073","37079","37085","37089","37093","37095","37101","37103","37107","37113","37117","37121","37123","37129","37133","37139","37141","37143","37147","37153","37155","37163","37165","37175","37177","37187","37189","37191"],"fit_inputs":{"light":[2,4],"moisture":[0,4],"ph":null},"fit_note":"Shared sunlight, moisture and pH calculation; county geography is an additional layer. Missing source traits remain unknown.","fit_provenance":{"counties":"USDA PLANTS: recorded in 40 NC counties","light":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)","moisture":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)"},"garden_suitability":{"default_excluded":false,"flags":[],"review_status":"not_assessed"},"invasive_rank":false,"native_eligible":true,"quercus_score":77,"state":"SC"},"garden_suitability":{"default_excluded":false,"flags":[],"review_status":"not_assessed"},"growing_observations":{"floraquest_carolinas_georgia":{"matched_name":"Kalmia carolina","retrieved":"2026-10-04T13:31:16.252589+00:00","scope":{"kind":"region","region_id":"floraquest_nc_sc_ga"},"scope_note":"Original regional ecological and identification evidence; no location-specific gardening adjustments.","source_label":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)","source_name":"Kalmia carolina","source_record_id":4660,"source_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_url":"https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.emountainworks.android.southeastfieldguide","trait_evidence":[{"field":"habitat_description","source_column":"HabitatText","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":4660,"source_table":"Organism","value":"Moist to wet pinelands of the Coastal Plain, pocosin margins (or seemingly in pocosins or swamps because of fire suppression), mountain bogs and fens (and less commonly in rocky areas at high elevations) in the Mountains."},{"field":"geographic_range_description","source_column":"Description","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":4660,"source_table":"Organism","value":"This species, a close relative of the more widespread and northern K. angustifolia , occurs in two disjunct areas: the Coastal Plain, from se. Virginia south through North Carolina to wc. Georgia (Taylor County), and the Southern Appalachians from sw. Virginia south through w. North Carolina and ne. Tennessee to ne. Georgia"},{"field":"phenology_source_text","source_column":"Phenology","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":4660,"source_table":"Organism","value":"Apr-May (sporadically to Sep, especially in response to fire); Sep-Oct."},{"field":"taxonomic_synonymy","source_column":"Synonymy","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":4660,"source_table":"Organism","value":"[= GW2, K1, K4, NS, S, Va, W, Southall & Hardin (1974); = Kalmia angustifolia L. ssp. carolina (Small) A.Haines — POWO, Cullings et al. (1961); = Kalmia angustifolia L. var. carolina (Small) Fernald — C, F, FNA8, G, Ebinger (1974), Luteyn et al (1996); = Kalmia angustifolia L. var. caroliniana (Small) Fernald — RAB, Tn, orthographic error; > Kalmia carolina Small — S13]"},{"field":"botanical_comments","source_column":"Comments","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":4660,"source_table":"Organism","value":"Southall & Hardin (1974) favored species status for K. carolina because of its essentially allopatric distribution relative to K. angustifolia (the 2 meet in Southampton County, VA), the near absence of intermediates or hybrids in nature, and because \"significant morphological and anatomical differences have developed and remain constant between these two species when grown together\". The ploidy difference would also prevent them from producing fertile hybrids."},{"field":"heliophily_index","source_column":"HIndex","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":4660,"source_table":"Organism","value":7},{"field":"regional_wetland_indicators","source_column":"WetlandStatus1..5","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":4660,"source_table":"Organism","value":[{"source_column":"WetlandStatus2","value":"FACW"},{"source_column":"WetlandStatus4","value":"FAC"}]},{"field":"habitat_moisture_categories","source_column":"Attr2","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":4660,"source_table":"GraphicKey","value":["Dry","Moist","Wet"]},{"field":"habitat_light_categories","source_column":"Attr3","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":4660,"source_table":"GraphicKey","value":["Partial shade","Full sun"]},{"field":"graphic_key_source_attributes","source_column":"Attr0..25","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":4660,"source_table":"GraphicKey","value":{"Attr0":"gr14","Attr1":"nc_cp,nc_mt,sc_cp,sc_mt,ga_cp,ga_mt,","Attr11":"pin","Attr12":"unl","Attr13":"nt","Attr14":"Bl5,Bl9","Attr15":"wh","Attr16":"n","Attr17":"rad","Attr18":"5","Attr19":"pi,pur,re,wh","Attr2":"Dry,Moist,Wet","Attr20":"n","Attr21":"DSS","Attr3":"Part,Sun","Attr3a":"y","Attr3a_subregion":"native_nc_cp:y,native_nc_mt:y,native_sc_cp:y,native_sc_mt:y,native_ga_cp:y,native_ga_mt:y,","Attr4":" 3-9","Attr5":"s","Attr6":"n","Attr7":"y","Attr8":"whor","Attr9":"sim"}}],"values":{"botanical_comments":"Southall & Hardin (1974) favored species status for K. carolina because of its essentially allopatric distribution relative to K. angustifolia (the 2 meet in Southampton County, VA), the near absence of intermediates or hybrids in nature, and because \"significant morphological and anatomical differences have developed and remain constant between these two species when grown together\". The ploidy difference would also prevent them from producing fertile hybrids.","geographic_range_description":"This species, a close relative of the more widespread and northern K. angustifolia , occurs in two disjunct areas: the Coastal Plain, from se. Virginia south through North Carolina to wc. Georgia (Taylor County), and the Southern Appalachians from sw. Virginia south through w. North Carolina and ne. Tennessee to ne. Georgia","graphic_key_source_attributes":{"Attr0":"gr14","Attr1":"nc_cp,nc_mt,sc_cp,sc_mt,ga_cp,ga_mt,","Attr11":"pin","Attr12":"unl","Attr13":"nt","Attr14":"Bl5,Bl9","Attr15":"wh","Attr16":"n","Attr17":"rad","Attr18":"5","Attr19":"pi,pur,re,wh","Attr2":"Dry,Moist,Wet","Attr20":"n","Attr21":"DSS","Attr3":"Part,Sun","Attr3a":"y","Attr3a_subregion":"native_nc_cp:y,native_nc_mt:y,native_sc_cp:y,native_sc_mt:y,native_ga_cp:y,native_ga_mt:y,","Attr4":" 3-9","Attr5":"s","Attr6":"n","Attr7":"y","Attr8":"whor","Attr9":"sim"},"habitat_description":"Moist to wet pinelands of the Coastal Plain, pocosin margins (or seemingly in pocosins or swamps because of fire suppression), mountain bogs and fens (and less commonly in rocky areas at high elevations) in the Mountains.","habitat_light_categories":["Partial shade","Full sun"],"habitat_moisture_categories":["Dry","Moist","Wet"],"heliophily_index":7,"phenology_source_text":"Apr-May (sporadically to Sep, especially in response to fire); Sep-Oct.","regional_wetland_indicators":[{"source_column":"WetlandStatus2","value":"FACW"},{"source_column":"WetlandStatus4","value":"FAC"}],"taxonomic_synonymy":"[= GW2, K1, K4, NS, S, Va, W, Southall & Hardin (1974); = Kalmia angustifolia L. ssp. carolina (Small) A.Haines — POWO, Cullings et al. (1961); = Kalmia angustifolia L. var. carolina (Small) Fernald — C, F, FNA8, G, Ebinger (1974), Luteyn et al (1996); = Kalmia angustifolia L. var. caroliniana (Small) Fernald — RAB, Tn, orthographic error; > Kalmia carolina Small — S13]"}},"wildflower_center":{"matched_name":"Kalmia carolina","retrieved":"2026-10-05T19:44:39.883983+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Source-reported species characteristics; not a location-specific estimate.","source_label":"Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center","source_sha256":"72eaa12e2a01cedfb93057a3f4057f9722b44fc6b63841eac0e7d4e6acf52327","source_url":"https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=KACA2","trait_evidence":[{"expected_source_name":"Kalmia carolina","field":"height_description","original_field":"height","record_id":"trait:49078c8126eee7cda78258b5775ac2353bcf6ea1153d9ba8b7955188115056ce","retrieved_at":"2026-10-05T19:44:39.883983+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Species profile; distribution and native-status discovery filters do not establish local growing or bloom timing.","source":"wildflower","source_name":"Kalmia carolina","source_sha256":"72eaa12e2a01cedfb93057a3f4057f9722b44fc6b63841eac0e7d4e6acf52327","source_url":"https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=KACA2","status":"eligible_fact","taxon_id":"taxon:0677625d-1773-5dd3-bb82-62d4f03a537f","value":{"approximate":true,"kind":"upper_bound","max":5,"unit":"feet"}},{"expected_source_name":"Kalmia carolina","field":"life_cycle","original_field":"life_cycle","record_id":"trait:a2bbf5c9fc40224d48fa27c584f3c81ba7767c4f3de6757e72cba3a5e6ac9185","retrieved_at":"2026-10-05T19:44:39.883983+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Species profile; distribution and native-status discovery filters do not establish local growing or bloom timing.","source":"wildflower","source_name":"Kalmia carolina","source_sha256":"72eaa12e2a01cedfb93057a3f4057f9722b44fc6b63841eac0e7d4e6acf52327","source_url":"https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=KACA2","status":"eligible_fact","taxon_id":"taxon:0677625d-1773-5dd3-bb82-62d4f03a537f","value":["Perennial"]},{"expected_source_name":"Kalmia carolina","field":"flower_color","original_field":"flower_color","record_id":"trait:f2cf33015172fe749671f5730e1416b5cc173f660fe08aba8ec99b6adf7782db","retrieved_at":"2026-10-05T19:44:39.883983+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Species profile; distribution and native-status discovery filters do not establish local growing or bloom timing.","source":"wildflower","source_name":"Kalmia carolina","source_sha256":"72eaa12e2a01cedfb93057a3f4057f9722b44fc6b63841eac0e7d4e6acf52327","source_url":"https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=KACA2","status":"eligible_fact","taxon_id":"taxon:0677625d-1773-5dd3-bb82-62d4f03a537f","value":["White","Pink","Purple"]}],"values":{"flower_color":["White","Pink","Purple"],"height_description":"Up to about 5 feet","life_cycle":["Perennial"]}}},"light_range":["part shade","full sun"],"light_source":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)","native_synthesis":{"claims":[{"claim":"native","matched_name":"Kalmia angustifolia var. carolina","scope":"TN-KY","source":"tnky_atlas","url":"https://tennessee-kentucky.plantatlas.usf.edu/plant/species/909"},{"claim":"native","matched_name":"Kalmia carolina","scope":"L48","source":"usda","text":"L48:N","url":"https://plants.usda.gov/"},{"claim":"native","matched_name":"Kalmia carolina","scope":"NC","source":"nc_flora","url":"https://auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov/flora/"}],"county_native_range":"unresolved","explanation":"Source scopes are preserved. State occurrence alone does not establish nativity; combined regional evidence is labeled estimated.","label":"Native to South Carolina (estimated from combined sources)","rule":"southeast-native-synthesis-1","status":"native_inferred"},"source_name":"Kalmia angustifolia var. carolina","taxon_id":"taxon:0677625d-1773-5dd3-bb82-62d4f03a537f","revision":"publish:5809c037-0e9a-430a-8008-5ab6f69800c0","photos":[{"id":"inat-58403589","src":"/api/photos/image/2902e769d152959a5295c0d13bd39e92d883ef66a142927f92fa45df14a88531.jpg","view":"other","alt":"Kalmia carolina — flower/foliage photograph","width":500,"height":333,"artist":"(c) T. Hammer, some rights reserved (CC BY)","license":"CC BY 4.0","license_url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/","source_url":"https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/58403589","changes":"iNaturalist medium image; no additional crop, retouching, or re-encoding."}]}