Bog Labrador tea facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bog Labrador tea |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Rhododendron
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Rhododendron
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| Subsection: |
Ledum
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R. groenlandicum
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| Rhododendron groenlandicum (Oeder) Kron & Judd
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Rhododendron groenlandicum, often called bog Labrador tea, is a special kind of flowering shrub. It has white flowers and leaves that stay green all year. People have used its leaves for a long time to make a type of herbal tea. You might also hear it called Muskeg tea, Swamp tea, or Hudson's Bay Tea in northern Canada.
Contents
What is Bog Labrador Tea?
This plant is a small shrub that usually grows to about 50 centimeters (about 20 inches) tall. Sometimes, it can grow taller, up to 2 meters (about 6.5 feet). Its leaves are always green and are about 2 to 6 centimeters long. They are also about 3 to 15 millimeters wide.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of bog Labrador tea feel a bit like leather. They are wrinkly on top and have lots of tiny hairs underneath. These hairs can be white or reddish-brown. The edges of the leaves often curl inwards. The plant's small white flowers grow in round groups. They smell very nice and feel a bit sticky to the touch.
Where Does it Grow?
Bog Labrador tea is found in many cold places around the world. You can find it in Greenland and all across Canada. It also grows in parts of the northeastern and northwestern United States. This includes states like New York, Michigan, Washington, and Alaska.
Plant Homes
This plant loves to grow in wet, spongy areas. You'll often see it in places called bogs or muskegs. It can also grow on wet lake shores or on rocky slopes high up in the mountains.
How is it Used?
For a very long time, the leaves of bog Labrador tea have been used by many Native American tribes and First Nations in Canada. They use the leaves to make drinks and traditional medicines. The most common use is to brew a fragrant tea.
Historical Uses
When European explorers arrived, they learned about these uses from the local people. They even started calling it "Indian plant tea." During the American Revolutionary War, people sometimes used it as a substitute when regular tea was hard to find. Today, some people also grow this shrub in their gardens because it looks nice. Its natural oils are also used in aromatherapy, which is a way to relax using plant scents.
Important Safety Information
It's very important to know that bog Labrador tea contains natural chemicals called alkaloids. These chemicals can be harmful. They are known to be poisonous to farm animals. In large amounts, they can also be toxic to humans. Because of this, you should never try to make or drink tea from this plant without expert guidance. Always be careful and only use plants for medicine or food if an adult who knows about them says it's safe.
