Labrador-tea L – Flower Bud R – seed capsules
Labrador-tea (Rhododendron groenlandicum) is an evergreen shrub growing in sunny acidic locations. It prefers wet locations. I recently visited a location and observed it in its winter condition. Its evergreen leaves shrivel up to conserve moisture. They are revolute meaning the margins curl under the leaf blade. The young leaves have white woolly hairs that turn rusty–brown with age. A large terminal flower bud appeared on most branches with a small lateral leaf bud. Seed capsules were still present and will persist for several years. They are unique in the way they split, starting from the base and opening upward.
Labrador-tea leaves showing woolly hairs and curled leaf margins
One of my favorite sights in early summer is the white flowers of Labrador-tea along the edge of a bog. They bloom in terminal clusters, held high above the leaves. Insects pollinate them and often they are visited by solitary bees.
Labrador-tea in bloom
Labrador-tea is common in the Upper Peninsula and the Northern Lower Peninsula. It was known as Ledum groenlandicum. Because it easily hybridizes with other Rhododendrons in cultivation it should not be in its own genus.
Copyright 2018 by Donald Drife
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Hi Donald. This grows all along my usual walk route in Delta County. I love the smell of the crushed leaf. It’s piney and a little lemony—just heavenly.
Me again. I live in the UP on Moss Lake. In an old plat book the name of the lake was Mushkeewargamug and for years I tried to find out what it meant. I bumped into an Ojibwe fellow on Reddit who spoke his native language and asked about it. He asked if Labrador Tea grew nearby. He said the “R” doesn’t belong but left out, Mushkeewagamug means “Home of the Labrador Tea.” Question finally answered.
Cool. I love finding out how things were named.
Thank you for the info.and pictures.