Ledum groenlandicum Labrador tea (Ericaceae) Evergreen shrub

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Ledum groenlandicum
Labrador tea
Evergreen shrub
(1 Page of 5)

The Ledum groenlandicum plant species is found in Eastern and Northern N. America to Greenland. A rare garden escape in Britain. It is a member of the Ericaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Labrador tea. Some home gardeners know the variety as L. latifolium. L. pacificum. L. palustre groenlandicum. (Oeder.)Hulten.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Ledum groenlandicum
Common Name:  Labrador tea
Family:  Ericaceae
Author:  Oeder.

Known Hazards:  Plants contain a narcotic toxin called Ledel. This toxin only causes problems if the leaves are cooked for a long period in a closed container[172].

Mature Height:  1.5   Mature Width:  1.5

Habitat:  Cold bogs and montane coniferous woods[4, 50].

Cultivation Notes: Requires a lime-free loam or peaty soil[1, 11]. Prefers a moist humus-rich acid soil in shade or semi-shade[200]. Plants flower more freely when grown in a sunny position. Plants grow better if they have certain fungal associations in the soil. The best way of providing this is to incorporate some soil from around well-growing established plants into the soil for the new plant[200]. Hardy to at least -15°c[200]. The leaves and the flowers are very aromatic[182, 245]. Plants benefit from removing the dead flowers before they set seed[188]. This prevents them putting too much energy into seed production at the expense of more flowers and leaves. This species is considered by some botanists to be no more than a sub-species of L. palustre[11, 50]. A good bee plant[4].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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