Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.137473
Element CodePDERI0M020
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderEricales
FamilyEricaceae
GenusRhododendron
SynonymsLedum groenlandicumOeder
Other Common Namesbog Labrador-tea (EN) Bog Labrador-tea (EN) Thé du Labrador (FR)
Concept ReferenceKartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2025-08-20
Change Date1984-06-07
Edition Date2025-08-20
Edition AuthorsN. Ventrella (2025)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank ReasonsRhododendron groenlandicum is a woody shrub found in bogs, muskegs, spruce forests, swamps, tundra, slopes, and stream margins across Greenland and northern North America, occurring throughout Canada, in the northwestern United States from Alaska south to Oregon and Idaho, and in the northeastern and north-central United States from Maine to Pennsylvania, Michigan, North Dakota, and South Dakota (where it is considered extirpated). There are over 2,000 estimated occurrences of this taxon, which are potentially threatened by development, water diversion, alteration of hydrology, recreational activities, rights-of-way construction and maintenance, invasive species, succession, and other threats in some places. Little is known about threats and trends, but with a large range extent, high number of occurrences, abundant habitat, and broad habitat preferences, Rhododendron groenlandicum is considered secure.
Range Extent CommentsRhododendron groenlandicum occurs in Greenland and northern North America, throughout Canada, and Alaska south to Oregon and Idaho in the United States (FNA 2009). It is also found in the eastern and midwestern United States, from Maine to Pennsylvania, Michigan, North Dakota, and South Dakota (where it is considered to be extirpated) (FNA 2009, South Dakota Natural Heritage Program 2016). Range extent was estimated to be over 15 million square kilometers using herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data collected between 1994 and 2025 (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, NatureServe 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025).
Occurrences CommentsBy applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data documented between 1994 and 2025, it is estimated that there are more than 2,000 occurrences rangewide (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, NatureServe 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025).
Threat Impact CommentsThreats to Rhododendron groenlandicum are not well known, but likely include development, water diversion, alteration of hydrology, recreational activities, rights-of-way construction and maintenance, invasive species, succession, and other threats in some places, though there is insufficient data, including anecdotal accounts, to understand scope and severity of threats for this species.