Bloomipedia
Labrador tea (Rhododendron groenlandicum)
Photo: Cam Fox via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized

Flower profile

Labrador tea

Rhododendron groenlandicum

Labrador tea (Rhododendron groenlandicum) is a shrub in the Ericaceae family, native in the lower 48 states, blooming mostly June–July across the U.S.

Native to New Hampshire

Labrador tea is a flowering plant that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. In New Hampshire it's most often seen in bloom in June–July.

18states where USDA records it
2,057NH sightings*
11,182U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: New Hampshire

Quick look

Rhododendron groenlandicum, known by the common names bog Labrador tea, muskeg tea, swamp tea, in northern Canada, Hudson's Bay tea, and in Greenlandic, Qajaasaq, is a species of flowering shrub in the family Ericaceae. Found in northern parts of North America and Greenland, R. groenlandicum grows primarily in bogs and other wetlands, which tend to be also in cold, acidic, and nutrient-poor environments.

  • It belongs to the Ericaceae family. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS describes it as a shrub with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 18 states. USDA PLANTS
  • NatureServe lists it as native to New Hampshire. NatureServe
  • In New Hampshire, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in June–July. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS lists its flower color as white. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS gives its bloom period as late spring. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists a mature height of about 3 ft. USDA PLANTS
  • iNaturalist has 2,057 research-grade sightings of it in New Hampshire, ranking #22 among the 157 flowers on our New Hampshire list. iNaturalist

When does it bloom?

In New Hampshire, most flowering sightings come in June–July.

Flowering records by month in New Hampshire (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (254 records)

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA)
Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
NatureServe global
G5 Secure worldwide. NatureServe
New Hampshire
Not listed Not on New Hampshire Official Rare Plants List (Ncr 312, eff. Jan 1, 2020). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in New Hampshire. NH Ncr 312
Rare elsewhere
Other states where NatureServe ranks it rare or missing: CT (S2), NJ (S1), OH (SH), SD (SX). (S1 critically imperiled, S2 imperiled, SH possibly extirpated, SX presumed extirpated.)

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peopleNot well documented

None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension (no page for this plant), USDA PLANTS) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people.

For petsToxic to dogs, cats and horses

ASPCA's entry “Azalea” (Rhododendron spp), which covers the whole genus, lists it as toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Signs include: Vomiting, diarrhea, hypersalivation, weakness, coma, hypotension, CNS depression, cardiovascular collapse and death. Ingestion of a few leaves can cause serious problems. Rhododendron is typically… ASPCA

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records Labrador tea in 18 states.

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Alaska, Connecticut, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin.

New Hampshire counties with USDA records: Carroll, Cheshire, Coos, Grafton, Hillsborough, Merrimack, Strafford, Sullivan.

Growing conditions

USDA PLANTS gives Labrador tea a medium shade tolerance, medium drought tolerance and medium moisture use. It is rated for soil pH 5.0 to 7.0 and winter lows down to -33 °F.

Shade tolerance
Medium
Drought tolerance
Medium
Moisture use
Medium
Soil textures it is adapted to
medium, fine
Soil pH range
5.0 to 7.0
Minimum temperature tolerated
-33 °F
Frost-free days needed (minimum)
95
Annual precipitation range
12 to 50 inches
Minimum root depth
18 inches
Salinity tolerance
None
Fertility requirement
Low
Growth rate
Slow
Lifespan
Moderate
Active growth period
Spring
Fruit or seed
· Spring to Summer
Can be propagated by
bare root, container, seed
Commercial availability
Routinely Available

From the USDA PLANTS characteristics data for LEGR. USDA ratings are general guidance for the species, not a guarantee for your garden.

Names, range and relatives

Native status by region (USDA PLANTS): Alaska: Native; Canada: Native; Greenland: Native; Lower 48 states: Native; St. Pierre and Miquelon: Native.

County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 231 counties across 13 states; the most are in Wisconsin (44), Michigan (42), Minnesota (31).

Other Rhododendron on Bloomipedia (11): Rhododendrons and azaleas, Great rhododendron, Pinxter flower, Pacific rhododendron, Flame azalea, Mock azalea, Rhodora, Mountain azalea, Swamp azalea, Catawba rhododendron.

More from the Ericaceae family (55 on Bloomipedia; most observed first): Ghost pipe, Striped wintergreen, Mountain laurel, Eastern teaberry (wintergreen), Salal, Woodland pinedrops, Pinesap, Trailing arbutus (mayflower).

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Sources