Rhododendron subsect. Ledum

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Rhododendron subsect. Ledum is the current name for what used to be Ledum, a small group of evergreen shrubs in the heath family (Ericaceae). Native to cool temperate and subarctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere, these plants are commonly called Labrador tea. They are now classified as Rhododendron subsect. Ledum within the genus Rhododendron.

Ledum species often grow with poisonous bog plants such as bog-laurel and bog-rosemary. Some species, like L. groenlandicum and L. palustre, are easy to tell apart from others by rust-colored fuzz on the undersides of their leaves.

Genetic studies show Ledum belongs in Rhododendron, so the species are treated as Rhododendron subsect. Ledum. Because some Ledum names were already used for other Rhododendron species, new names were created to avoid duplication. For example, Ledum groenlandicum is now Rhododendron groenlandicum, Ledum palustre is now Rhododendron tomentosum, and Ledum glandulosum is now Rhododendron glandulosum. Other natural hybrids also occur.

Labrador tea has been used to make beverages. Some species, such as L. glandulosum, have varying levels of toxicity. These plants are evergreen and slow-growing, keeping their leaves year-round. When harvesting, avoid taking too many leaves from a single plant.