rusty Labrador-tea

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Greenland Labrador tea
• Labrador tea
• bog Labrador tea
• Labrador-tea
• Rusty Labrador-Tea
• common Labrador tea

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Ledum palustre subsp. groenlandicum
• Ledum palustre var. groenlandicum
• Ledum latifolium var. canadense
• Ledum palustre var. latifolium
• Ledum latifolium var. palustre
• Ledum groenlandicum var. aridiphilum
• Ledum latifolium
• Ledum pacificum
• Ledum canadense
• Ledum groenlandicum
• Ledum latifolium var. compactum
• Ledum groenlandicum var. compactum
• Ledum groenlandicum f. compactum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is ordered under Ericales and falls into the family Ericaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Rhododendron.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide-ranging distribution across several distinct global regions. In Northern Europe, its presence can be noted within Great Britain. Its range extends into Middle Europe, where it is found in Germany. Moving toward the Far East, the species is also located in Japan. Finally, it inhabits Subarctic America, specifically spanning across Alaska and Greenland.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Rhododendron groelandicum is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, ensuring its long-term survival and persistence within its arctic and subarctic habitats through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located on aerial stems well above the ground, a structural strategy that aids in its growth form and survival in harsh environments. Specifically, it functions as a phanerophyte, maintaining its woody architecture to withstand the climatic rigors of its natural range throughout its extended lifecycle.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Rhododendron groenlandicum is characterized by its growth form as a woody shrub. This self-supporting plant grows in a terrestrial habitat and functions as an independent organism, rather than acting as a parasite or an epiphyte. In terms of stature, it is a relatively low-growing species with a plant height that typically ranges from a minimum of 0.15 m to a maximum of 0.35 m, though the mean height is recorded at approximately 0.91 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.35 m

Plant height mean:

0.91 m

Plant height min:

0.15 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Rhododendron groelandicum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which involves the direct fixation of carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle within the mesophyll cells. This metabolic process is typical for many woody shrubs inhabiting arctic and subarctic environments, allowing the plant to function under specific light and temperature regimes. Additionally, the species is non-carnivorous, relying entirely on its root systems and symbiotic mycorrhizal associations for the uptake of essential nutrients and minerals from the soil rather than capturing and digesting insect prey.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Rhododendron groelandicum is characterized by a sexual reproductive cycle that lacks any recorded instances of asexual reproduction. The flowering period typically commences in May and extends through June. The plant utilizes a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects to facilitate the transfer of pollen. Following successful fertilization, the plant develops fruit in the form of a capsule, which is a dehiscence type, meaning it opens at maturity to release its seeds. These seeds are extremely minute, with a consistent seed mass of approximately 2e-05 g (both the minimum, maximum, and mean values are recorded at this level). Dispersal of the seeds is classified as zoochorous, involving animals in the movement of the reproductive units.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Jun

Fruit type :

capsule

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass mean:

2e-05 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Rhododendron groenlandicum has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Rhododendron groenlandicum has 17 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (+)-catechin, (-)-Epicatechin, Ag, Al, CD.

(+)-catechin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

(-)-Epicatechin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Ag

1. Environmental research

Al

1. Environmental research

CD

1. Environmental research

CU

1. Environmental research

FE

1. Environmental research

LA

1. Environmental research

MN

1. Environmental research

MO

1. Environmental research

Activities

Rhododendron groenlandicum has 2 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic, Antimutagenic.

Antidiabetic

1. Pharmaceutical biology
2. PloS one

Antimutagenic

1. Mutation research

Conditions

Rhododendron groenlandicum has 7 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include blood glucose, hepatic steatosis, hyperglycemia, inflammation, insulin resistance.

Blood glucose

1. European journal of nutrition

Hepatic steatosis

1. European journal of nutrition

Hyperglycemia

1. European journal of nutrition

Inflammation

1. European journal of nutrition

Insulin resistance

1. European journal of nutrition

Insulin sensitivity

1. European journal of nutrition

Obesity

1. European journal of nutrition

Preparations

Rhododendron groenlandicum has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include decoctions of Rhododendron groenlandicum leaves.

Decoctions of rhododendron groenlandicum leaves

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology