Ledum groenlandicum - (image 1 of 4)
Taxonomy
Family: Ericaceae
Habitat
Bogs, swamps.
Associates
Distribution
Greenland to Alberta and Washington, south to Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
Morphology
Small evergreen shrub, to 4' high and wide. Leaves alternate, simple, evergreen, to 2" long and .5" wide, elliptic or ovate to oblong, obtuse, margins recurved, glaucous and resinous, dark green above, covered with dark brown hairs beneath, fragrant, petiole to .25" long. Stems slender, rounded, young stems densely red-brown tomentose. Flowers perfect, white, to .75" across, in corymbs up to 2" across.. Fruits a capsule, 5 parted, opening from base to apex.
Notes
Flowers in May and June
Wetland indicator: Obligate
An attractive little evergreen shrub that is not well known in cultivation. The leaves can be steeped to make tea.
|
Michael Hough © 2005 |