labrador-tea

Labrador-tea Ledum groenlandicum
Family: Ericaceae (Heath)
Branching: Alternate / Evergreen

This is a common shrub (knee-height) found in wet areas in the north part of the continent. It has evergreen leaves, which are curled under at the edges and covered with dense woolly hair (reddish in colour) underneath. Other than the similar Sheep-laurel (leaves smooth underneath) it is not easily confused with much else.

The drooping evergreen leaves of Labrador-tea

The reddish woolly hair underneath the leaves is distinctive

Remains of the fruit in the winter

The stem is usually hairy as well.