Rhododendron groenlandicum | Cultural and Historic Guide to Northwest Native Plants

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Summary:

Labrador tea, bog Labrador tea, rusty Labrador tea

Description:

Labrador tea is an evergreen shrub growing up to 1.5 m tall. Their distinctive leaves alternate, and are narrow, lance-shaped, and up to 6 cm long. They are leathery in appearance with a dark green upper surface and rusty, hairy under surface. The white flowers grow in umbrella-like clusters, drying into hairy capsules in fall.

This plant was formerly known as Ledum groenlandicum.

Cultural Narrative:

Labrador tea leaves may be used fresh or dry to make tea. They can also be used in earth oven cooking. The tea can also be taken as a medicine for colds and sore throats.

WARNING: This plant contains toxic alkaloids and should be consumed in moderation.

Location Description:

Labrador tea grows primarily in boggy wetlands and swampy forests at low to mid elevations, preferring acidic soils.


	Created: Monday, October 18, 2021 - 20:00 Creator: Josuha Mayer Rights: https://www.flickr.com/photos/wackybadger/14778117351 Standard and Creative Commons Licensing: Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)


	Created: Thursday, April 16, 2009 - 05:00 Authors: Melanie Diedrich Standard and Creative Commons Licensing: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)


	Created: Thursday, April 16, 2009 - 05:00 Authors: Melanie Diedrich Standard and Creative Commons Licensing: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)