Rhododendron groenlandicum (Labrador Tea) - photos and description

 

 

 

 

 

 

General: Woody stemmed, much branched, evergreen shrub found in large colonies, often resulting in it being the dominant herbaceous species.

Flowers: Flowers are white, with 5 petals, in a flat topped inflorescence at stem tips. Flowers measured at 1 cm in diameter.

Leaves: Leaves leathery, dark green, oblanceolate, having rolled margins, alternate or in whorls near tops of stems. Typical leaf 5.5 cm long and 1.5 cm wide. Rusty coloured underneath.

Height: Height is listed in Budd's Flora to 150 cm high, we measured plants to 55 cm tall.

Habitat: Wet woods and bogs in the boreal forest.

Abundance: Common.

Origin: Native.

Synonym: Listed in some of the field guides we use as Ledum groenlandicum.

When and where photographed: Photos taken June 5th, mossy spruce woods, edge of a pitcher plant bog, Hudson Bay district, SK, about 400 km northeast of Regina, SK, and June 11th, Porcupine Hills, about 450 km northeast of our home in Regina, SK.