- Marsh Labrador Tea
Taxobox | name = Marsh Labrador Tea
image_width = 240px
image_caption = "R. tomentosum" in flower
regnum =Plantae
divisio =Magnoliophyta
classis =Magnoliopsida
ordo =Ericales
familia =Ericaceae
genus = "Rhododendron "
subsectio = "Ledum "
species = "R. tomentosum"
binomial = "Rhododendron tomentosum"
binomial_authority = HarmajaMarsh Labrador Tea, Northern Labrador Tea or Wild Rosemary ("Rhododendron tomentosum", formerly "Ledum palustre"), is a
flowering plant in the subsection "Ledum " of the large genus "Rhododendron " in the familyEricaceae . It is a lowshrub growing to 50 cm (rarely up to 120 cm) tall withevergreen leaves 12-50 mm long and 2-12 mm broad. Theflower s are small, with a five-lobed white corolla, and produced several together in acorymb 3-5 cm diameter. They emit strong smell to attractbees and other pollinating insects.In North America it is found growing in northern latitudes in
Greenland ,Canada , andAlaska , inEurope south toGermany , and inAsia south to northernChina ,Korea andJapan . It grows in peaty soils, shrubby areas, moss and lichen tundra.All parts of the plant contain poisonous
terpenes that affectcentral nervous system , causing aggressive behaviourFact|date=February 2008. First symptoms of overdosage are dizziness and disturbances in movement, followed by spasms, nausea and unconsciousness. The mere smell of the plant may cause headache to some people.This species is not to be confused with the traditionally-used one "
Ledum groenlandicum ", found essentially in theLabrador region in Canada (where its name comes from).For traditional uses in
herbal medicine , seeLabrador Tea ("Ledum groenlandicum ").Marsh Labrador Tea ("
Ledum palustre ") has traditionally been used as agruit in brewingbeer in theMiddle Ages . Due to its strong fragrance, it has also formerly been used as a natural anti-moth (forClothing Moth ) in Scandinavia.External links and references
* [http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?410675 Germplasm Resources Information Network: "Rhododendron tomentosum"]
* [http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200016302 Flora of China: "Ledum palustre"]
* [http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=LEPA11 USDA PLANTS database: "Ledum palustre"]
* [http://linnaeus.nrm.se/flora/di/erica/rhodo/rhodtomv.jpgDen virtuelle floran: "Distribution"]
* [http://www.labradortea.eu http://www.labradortea.eu] Labrador Tea - (grunge)rock band from Brno, Czech Republic
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