Labrador tea
Rhododendron groenlandicum

Family: Ericaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grows 1 m high. It can grow 2.4 m high. The young branches have rusty hairs. The leaves are narrowly oval. They are dark green on the upper surface and have rusty hairs underneath. The flowers are white and in clusters at the ends of branches. The fruit is a 5-valved capsule. It has several small seeds.

Where it is found

It is a cold temperate plant. It grows in peaty soils and cold bogs. It suits hardiness zones 2-8.

Countries/locations it is found in

Alaska, Australia, Greenland, Canada, North America, USA

How it is used for food

The dried leaves are used for tea. They are used for iced tea by adding lemon. Caution: The tea should not be drunk by pregnant women. The leaves should not be boiled with the water.

Edible parts

Leaves - tea, caution

How it is grown

It can be grown from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Haida tea, Hudson's bay tea

Synonyms

Ledum groenlandicum Oeder; Ledum palustre subsp. groenlandicum (Oeder) Hulten;