Western Labrador tea

Rhododendron columbianum

''Rhododendron columbianum'', commonly known as western Labrador tea, is a shrub that is widespread in the western United States and in western Canada, reported from British Columbia, Alberta, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, and Colorado. It grows in wet places from sea level up to 3500 m . It was formerly known as ''Ledum columbianum''.
Western Labrador tea Geotagged,Rhododendron columbianum,Spring,United States,Western Labrador tea

Appearance

''Rhododendron columbianum'' is a shrub up to 2 m tall, spreading by means of underground rhizomes. The evergreen leaves are ovate to lanceolate, fragrant when crushed. Flowers are white to cream, borne in groups of 10-35.
Western Labrador tea Geotagged,Rhododendron columbianum,Spring,United States,Western Labrador tea

Uses

''Rhododendron columbianum'' has been used medicinally as a tea astringent, diaphoretic, diuretic and laxative properties. The plant can, however, be toxic if the tea is allowed to steep too long. The fragrance of the leaves has also been shown useful in repelling insects and rodents.

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Taxonomy
KingdomPlantae
DivisionAngiosperms
ClassEudicots
OrderEricales
FamilyEricaceae
GenusRhododendron
SpeciesR. columbianum
Photographed in
United States of America