Labrador tea

noun

1. a North American bog shrub, Ledum groenlandicum, of the heath family, having evergreen leaves and rounded clusters of white flowers.

Labrador tea

noun

1. either of two arctic evergreen ericaceous shrubs, Ledum groenlandicum or L. palustre var. decumbens
2. (in Canada) an infusion brewed from the leaves of either of these plants

Word History and Origins

Origin of Labrador tea¹

An Americanism dating back to 1760–70

Example Sentences

The Labrador tea was buried deep under the snow, and from this time no more was obtained.

From Project Gutenberg

Our Labrador tea is a comely shrub, found in the mountains at an elevation of four thousand feet and upward.

From Project Gutenberg

Norman had drunk the Labrador tea before, and was rather fond of it, but his Southern cousins did not much relish it.

From Project Gutenberg