Page 159 - The Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods

Labrador Tea/Trapper’s Tea,
Rhododendron (Ledum)
groenlandicum and

R. neoglandulosum (ERICACEAE)

Salicyna, CC-BY-SA-4.0

LABRADOR TEA is an evergreen shrub common EDIBLE PARTS: leaves (tea)
throughout Canada and the northern United States. KEY MEDICINAL USES: Labrador Tea has analgesic,
Bog Labrador Tea, R. groenlandicum, has erect, au- astringent, and diuretic qualities.
burn branches and fragrant leaves. Often forming
HOW TO HARVEST AND EAT: You can pick leaves
dense colonies, Labrador tea flourishes in peaty soils.
It occurs in bogs, tundra, and wet forests. Western at any time of the year. The new spring leaves have
a bright, fresh flavor, which becomes richer once the
Labrador, R. neoglandulosum, Ledum glandulosum, is
plant is in flower. In autumn and winter, leaves have a
also called Tea, or Trapper’s Tea. Its hairy erect stems
more minerally, earthy flavor. Once picked, leaves can
can grow to 3-8 ft. (1-2.5m), and are speckled with
be used fresh or dried.
glandular scales. Its smooth bark can peel with age.
BLUEBERRY LABRADOR TEA: In a pot, cover blue-
R. groenlandicum is the preferred species for tea (see
berries with water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat
warning).
and simmer for 5 min. until blueberries break down.
FLOWER: R. groenlandicum: Round-topped clusters
Take off heat and drain water. Steep 1 tbsp. dried Lab-
of terminal white flowers form between April and
June. Each flower is about 0.8 inches (2 cm). R. rador tea leaves in hot water for 5-10 min. and then
remove them. Add blueberries, honey, and a drop of
neoglandulosum: Rounded clusters of 10-25 white
lemon juice.
flowers are borne in umbel-like racemes at the branch
WARNING: Labrador tea contains grayanotoxins,
ends. Flowers bloom in June-August.
which affect the heart and nervous system. Using R.
LEAF: Similar in both species. R. groenlandicum: Foli-
groenlandicum instead of R. neoglandulosum is rec-
age is leathery. The undersides of leaves bear a dense
ommended, as the toxicity levels in Trapper’s Tea are
fuzz that is white in young plants, and rust-colored in
higher. With either species, do not boil the leaves. In-
mature ones. With a length of 1-3 inches (2.5-7.5m),
leaves are oblong, or linear-oblong. R. neoglandulo- stead, steep them for no more than 10 min. and always
use an open vessel, like a mug, rather than a covered
sum: The evergreen foliage is alternate, leathery, and
teapot. Consume sparingly.
aromatic. Measuring 2 inches (5cm) long, the blades POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: Bog Laurel, Kalmia po-
are elliptic to obovate, with a glossy dark-green up-
lifolia; Bog Rosemary, Andromeda polifolia; Northern
per surface and a lower surface that is coated in white
Labrador Tea, Rhododendron tomentosum
hairs and yellow glandular scales.
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