The former species name, 'glauca', is Latin for gleaming or gray, a word ultimately derived from the Ancient Greek 'γλαυκός', meaning blue-green or blue-gray.

[4][5] Within Canada, Kalmia polifolia is very commonly found in east Nova Scotia where bog conditions are more frequent.

When an insect disturbs the anthers they whip up, spraying the intruder with pollen Kalmia polifolia flowers in April and is pollinated by bees.

[9] Kalmia polifolia can be used topically for skin wounds, disease, and inflammation, while internal uses may address bleeding and diarrhoea.

[1] According to Alaback et al., Kalmia polifolia contains a grayanotoxin, which when ingested lowers blood pressure, and may cause respiratory problems, dizziness, vomiting, or diarrhea.

[8] Symptoms for affected goats include depression, nausea, salivation, vomiting, and grating of teeth.

[8] While caribou do not have specialized food habits, they can eat most plants - preferring fungi, green leaves of deciduous shrubs, and new spring growth of sedges.