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Labrador Tea

Rhododendron groenlandicum

CommonPlant
Illustration of Labrador Tea (Rhododendron groenlandicum)

Labrador Tea is a low evergreen shrub of bogs and boreal forests, with strongly aromatic leaves covered in rusty-orange wool on the underside. Its white flower clusters are an important early-season nectar source in the boreal zone. The dried leaves have been used as tea by indigenous and colonial peoples, though large quantities may be mildly toxic.

Habitat
Sphagnum bogs, boreal forests, and tundra across northern North America
Diet
Flowers provide early nectar for native bees; browsed by caribou
How common
Common

Best time to see a Labrador Tea

The best time to see a Labrador Tea is May–July, when about 64% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 10,731 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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