Labrador Tea, Western Labrador tea

Ledum glandulosum

Physical Characteristics

Ledum glandulosum is an evergreen Shrub growing to 1.5 m (5ft). It is in leaf all year, in flower in May. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid soils and can grow in very acid soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

Western N. America.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Edible Uses: Condiment Tea An aromatic tea is made from the fresh or dried leaves[172, 183, 257]. The dried leaves are often mixed with non-aromatic leaves such as comfrey[183]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. It would be better to brew the tea in cold water by leaving it in a sunny place, or to make sure that it is brewed for a short time only in an open container. The leaves are used as a flavouring, they are a bayleaf substitute[172]. The fresh leaves can be chewed[183].

Medicinal Uses

Astringent Diaphoretic Diuretic Laxative Stomachic The leaves and young flowering shoots re astringent, diaphoretic, diuretic, laxative and stomachic.

Known Hazards

Plants contain a narcotic toxin called Ledel. This toxin only causes problems if the leaves are cooked for a long period in a closed container[172].