ExplorePlants

Mountain Labrador Tea

Rhododendron neoglandulosum

Mountain Labrador Tea is a special plant that grows in cool, wet places. Its leaves can be used to make a tasty tea that some people enjoy. This plant has beautiful flowers that attract butterflies and bees!

Habitat: Mountain regions

Appearance

The Mountain Labrador Tea is a medium-sized, evergreen shrub with distinctive leathery leaves, dark green on top and covered in rusty-brown fuzz underneath. It produces clusters of small, bell-shaped flowers that are typically white or cream-colored, sometimes with a pinkish tint. Its unique two-toned leaves make it easily recognizable.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderEricalesFamilyEricaceaeGenusRhododendron
Mountain Labrador Tea
flowering trait badgeshrub trait badgeevergreen trait badgefragrant_flower trait badge
Mountain Labrador Tea

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Wow! Indigenous peoples traditionally brew its dried leaves for tea!

Wow! It's related to the big, colorful rhododendron flowers you see in gardens!

Wow! Its crushed leaves release a spicy, aromatic scent!

Wow! This tough plant thrives high up in cold mountain areas!

Special abilities

Ability

Fuzzy Undersides

Mountain Labrador Tea has dense, rusty hairs on the underside of its leaves that help trap moisture and protect it from harsh winds and cold.

Ability

Evergreen Armor

Mountain Labrador Tea keeps its tough, leathery leaves all winter, helping it survive freezing temperatures and photosynthesize when possible.

Ability

Chemical Shield

Mountain Labrador Tea produces special chemicals that make its leaves taste bad to most animals, helping it defend against being eaten.

Measurements & details

Height
50-200 cm
Spread
50-150 cm
Flower Size
1-2 cm
Bloom Season
Late_spring_to_mid_summer
Edible
No
Toxicity
Moderate
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

Two-form Bumble Bee

Bombus bifarius

Visits flowers for nectar and pollen.

eaten by

Mule Deer

Odocoileus hemionus

May browse leaves, especially when other food is scarce.

eaten by

Elk

Cervus canadensis

Elk might occasionally browse its foliage.

shelters

American Black Bear

Ursus americanus

Bears might use dense shrubs for cover.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always ask an adult before tasting any plant or flower.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is Mountain Labrador Tea?

50-200 cm

How wide does Mountain Labrador Tea spread?

50-150 cm

How big are the flowers on Mountain Labrador Tea?

1-2 cm

When does Mountain Labrador Tea bloom?

Late_spring_to_mid_summer

Is Mountain Labrador Tea edible?

No

Is Mountain Labrador Tea toxic?

Moderate

What is Mountain Labrador Tea's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is Mountain Labrador Tea pollinated?

Insect

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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