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Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia
Ledum groenlandicum Oeder
Bog Labrador tea, Rusty labrador-tea, Muskeg tea, Hudson's Bay tea, Labrador tea
Ericaceae (Heath Family)
Synonyms: Ledum palustre ssp. groenlandicum
USDA Symbol: LEGR
USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.
A low, evergreen shrub with densely hairy twigs and rounded, terminal clusters of white flowers. Rusty labrador-tea is a small, globular, broadleaf evergreen shrub, to 3 ft. tall, with a picturesque habit created by many erect stems and upright, spreading branches. The smooth, slightly cracked, bark is coppery-orange to reddish-brown. Thick, glossy, narrowly elliptic leaves are aromatic. Upright, bell-shaped flowers comprise flat-topped, terminal clusters.
This northern shrub, typical of acidic, boggy areas, can easily be recognized by the woolly brown undersurfaces of its leaves. A tea can be made from the leaves, as was done during the American Revolution. In northern Canada, the plant is known as Hudson’s Bay Tea.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Shrub
Leaf: Gray-Green
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 1-3 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: WhiteBloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug
Distribution
USA: AK , CT , ID , MA , ME , MI , MN , ND , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OR , PA , SD , VT , WA , WICanada: AB , BC , MB , NB , NL , NS , ON , PE , QC , SK
Native Distribution: Lab. to AK, s. to PA, n.e. OH, MI, n.e. MN, c. Sask. & n.w. OR
Native Habitat: Peat bogs; cold, damp woods; wet shores
USDA Native Status: L48(N), AK(N), CAN(N), GL(N), SPM(N)
Growing Conditions
Water Use: MediumLight Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist , Wet
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Acid, wet to moist organic soils, peats & mucks.
Conditions Comments: Ledum groenlandicum is a slow-growing, short-lived shrub that demands acid soil. Occasional anthracnose is the only disease or pest problem. It is a very flood tolerant plant.
Benefit
Warning: POISONOUS PARTS: All parts. Highly Toxic, May be Fatal if eaten. Symptoms include salivation, watering of eyes and nose, abdominal pain, loss of energy, depression, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, difficult breathing, progressive paralysis of arms and legs, coma. Toxic Principle: Andromedotoxin. (Poisonous Plants of N.C.)Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Fragrant Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Fragrant Foliage: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Larval Host: Northern Blue butterfly (Lycaeides idas)
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)
Ledum groenlandicum is a larval host and/or nectar source for:|
Northern Blue (Plebejus idas)  Larval Host |
Propagation
Description: Layers and fall-collected cuttings can be used for propagation. Seeds should be sown on shaded peat moss. There is no dormancy and germination takes 2-3 weeks.Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: No pretreatment is necessary.
Commercially Avail: yes
Find Seed or Plants
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
Bibliography
Bibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright
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Recommended Species Lists
Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.
View Recommended Species pageAdditional resources
USDA: Find Ledum groenlandicum in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Ledum groenlandicum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Ledum groenlandicum
Metadata
Record Modified: 2010-11-06Research By: TWC Staff
