Ledum glandulosum |
Origin: Coastal Western North America
Zone Range: 3-8
Preferred Situation: Full sun; boggy to moist sites with acidic soil.
Harvest Date: Wednesday 17 October, 2007
Description:
In June, brilliant white masses of flowers almost clothe this small twiggy shrubby evergreen species that rarely exceeds 100 cm in height. The unique lance shaped leathery leaves have rolled edges where the leaf margins are tucked into the soft white dense fuzz of the underside. The leaves (fresh or dried) were boiled as a tea substitute due to its sweet aromatic scent when rubbed or crushed. Our selection comes from the sunny higher elevation bog/peat lands (nutrient poor organic soils) of the Central Coast of British Columbia.
Notes:
There is some debate on the toxicity of the leaf alkaloids, so take extreme care if you decide to partake in a beverage made from this plant. Some evidence suggests that you have to boil the leaves 'a very long time' to neutralize the toxins. I have no idea what 'a very long time' meant by the writer. Companion vegetation to this species are: Cornus canadensis, Empetrum nigrum (crowberry), Vaccinium.
Cultivation:
I've never germinated this species before, but if I had to guess based on the ecology it was growing and the companion vegetation (usually have same germination/growing requirements) it would be as for Rhododendrons and/or Vaccinium. Surface sow, keep moist and provide light. Should germinate at 15-20 C. Days to germinate:NA.
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