# Western Labrador Tea (*Rhododendron columbianum*) Western Labrador Tea is a lovely shrub that grows in cool, wet places. Its leaves can be used to make a special tea that some people enjoy. The flowers are pretty and attract butterflies! - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Western Labrador Tea](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Ledum_glandulosum_7486.JPG&width=800) Photo: Walter Siegmund (talk), CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ledum_glandulosum_7486.JPG) ## Appearance The Western Labrador Tea has leathery, dark green leaves with distinct rusty-brown hairs on their undersides. Its small, star-shaped flowers are clustered at the stem tops, typically appearing white or creamy, making it stand out in damp, cool environments. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Ericales - **Family:** Ericaceae - **Genus:** Rhododendron ## Interesting facts - Indigenous peoples brewed its leaves for a special, zingy tea for centuries! - Its leaves feel like soft felt underneath, covered in tiny, fuzzy hairs! - Some people believe its strong, woodsy scent can even help keep mosquitoes away! - This plant stays green all winter long, even when everything else is covered in snow! ## Special abilities - **Frosty Fuzz Shield:** Western Labrador Tea has woolly hairs under its leaves that trap warm air, protecting it from cold and preventing water loss. - **Aromatic Armor:** This plant produces strong-smelling oils that may deter hungry animals from nibbling its leaves, keeping it safe. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 50-200 cm - **Spread:** 50-150 cm - **Flower Size:** 1-2 cm - **Bloom Season:** Summer - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** Mild - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** European Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Feeds on nectar and collects pollen. - **Pollinates:** Northern Bumblebee (*Bombus borealis*) — Important pollinator in its range. - **Eaten by:** [Mule Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mule-deer) (*Odocoileus hemionus*) — Browses on the plant's foliage. - **Eaten by:** [Moose](https://www.snappit.app/explore/moose) (*Alces alces*) — Feeds on the leaves and twigs. ## Traits - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Shrub](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shrub): A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground. - [Evergreen](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/evergreen): Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Medicinal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/medicinal): Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health. - [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always ask an adult before touching or tasting any plants. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Western Labrador Tea? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Western Labrador Tea? 50-200 cm ### How wide does Western Labrador Tea spread? 50-150 cm ### How big are the flowers on Western Labrador Tea? 1-2 cm ### When does Western Labrador Tea bloom? Summer ### Is Western Labrador Tea edible? Yes ### Is Western Labrador Tea toxic? Mild ### What is Western Labrador Tea's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Arena Cove Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arena-cove-historic-district) — California, US · Historic District - [Pennask Creek Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/pennask-creek-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Western Labrador Tea: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-labrador-tea)