Rhododendron columbianum

Western Labrador tea
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Ericales
Family:	Ericaceae
Genus:	Rhododendron
Species:	R. columbianum
Binomial name
Rhododendron columbianum (Piper) Harmaja
Synonyms[1]
Ledum columbianum Piper Ledum glandulosum subsp. columbianum (Piper) C.L. Hitchc. Ledum glandulosum var. columbianum (Piper) C.L. Hitchc.

Rhododendron columbianum, common name Western Labrador tea, is a plant species referred to in many publications as Ledum columbianum. It is widespread in the western United States and in western Canada, reported from British Columbia, Alberta, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, and Colorado. It grows in wet places from sea level up to 3500 m (12,000 feet).^[2]

Rhododendron columbianum is a shrub up to 2 m (7 feet) tall, spreading by means of underground rhizomes. The evergreen leaves are ovate to lanceolate, fragrant when crushed. Flowers are white to cream, borne in groups of 10-35.^[3]

Uses

Rhododendron columbianum has been used medicinally as a tea astringent, diaphoretic, diuretic and laxative properties. The plant can, however, be toxic if the tea is allowed to steep too long. The fragrance of the leaves has also been shown useful in repelling insects and rodents.^[4][5]

References