LABRADOR TEA

Labrador tea (Ledum groenlandicum) (Ledum groenlandicum), low-growing, perennial evergreen shrub of the heath family (Ericaceae), native to eastern North America. The name is also sometimes applied to L. glandulosum, a closely related shrub of the Rocky Mountains region. L. groenlandicum is found in cold boggy areas and grows to about 1 m (3 feet) high. The twigs are reddish. The fragrant leaves, which are sometimes used for making tea, are smooth-edged and elliptical and have a rusty wool on the underside. The leaf margins are curled under. The white or creamy flowers, 2 cm (0.8 inch) wide, are borne in a terminal cluster. There are five sepals and five petals.