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Labrador Tea
Labrador Tea botanical plate
Field guide plate · click to zoom

Labrador Tea

Rhododendron groenlandicum
In the United States: Native · also called Bog Labrador tea, Common Labrador tea

Honeybees forage on Labrador tea primarily for nectar during its late spring bloom, providing an early-season resource in acidic wetland environments. The flowers offer moderate nectar rewards but limited pollen due to the poricidal anthers requiring buzz pollination, which honeybees access less efficiently. Management involves ensuring consistently moist, acidic soils, as the evergreen shrub can be sensitive to drying out and may attract deer browsing.

Nectarmedium
Pollenlow
Bloom (US) May–June
Duration~30 days
TypePerennial
Sunpartial
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