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Labrador Tea

Ledum groenlandicum

Photo: Nancy Turner

APPEARANCE

This plant has narrow leaves with orange coloured hairs underneath. They grow 0.5 to 1.5 metres tall and have orange hairs on the twigs.

RANGE & HABITAT

Found in low to mid elevations, they grow in peatlands and boggy areas. Labrador tea is able to grow in soil that is acidic and low in nutrients.

LIFE CYCLE

They produce small white flowers in an umbrella-like shape. These flowers then develop into hairy pods with seeds in them.

ANIMAL USES

Poisonous to livestock because of toxins in the leaves.

TRADITIONAL USES BY INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

Leaves are used fresh or dried to make tea, although too much of it causes stomach problems!

MODERN USES

Labrador tea is used to make tea.

STATUS

COSEWIC: Not at Risk
CDC: Yellow

MORE INFORMATION

www.blueplanetbiomes.org