Virginia Tech Dendrology

marsh Labrador-tea Ericaceae Ledum palustre L. symbol: LEPA11
Leaf: Alternate (often clustered appearing whorled), simple, evergreen, lanceolate, 1/2 to 2 inches long, entire, distinctly rolled edges, dark green above, densely woolly below which is at first white but matures to a rusty brown color, fragrant when crushed.
Flower: Five petals, white, 1/3 inch across, in small terminal clusters, appearing in late spring.
Fruit: Small, elongated, pointed, 5-parted, dry capsule, 1/3 inch long, at first green but maturing to brown by the end of summer, cluster typically drooping.
Twig: Moderate, reddish brown and densely wooly, buds scaly.
Bark: Smooth, gray to reddish brown.
Form: A spreading, somewhat open shrub to 2 feet.
Looks like: Labrador tea - bog rosemary

Additional Range Information: Ledum palustre is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. Download the full-size PDF map.
External Links: USDA Plants Database
All material 2025 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson; Silvics reprinted from Ag Handbook 654; range map source information