Etymology: Ledum: from the Greek ledon, "cistus," for the plant now known as Cistus, unclear how this relates to Ledum
Plants: erect, perennial, 1 1/2'-3' tall shrub; stems densely orange-hairy
Leaves: stalkless, evergreen, thick, alternate, lance-like to elliptical, edges turning downward, woolly, often with orangish hairs beneath Flowers: white, 5-parted, 1/3" wide, petals all separate; inflorescence with many, long-stalked flowers in a crowded, branched cluster (corymb) at the ends of the stem; blooms May-June
Fruits: oval capsule
Habitat: wet; forests, bogs, cliffs
Conservation Status: Native

Flora of North America: Flora of North America Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 8, Wetland Indicator = OBL University of Wisconsin - Green Bay: Wetland Plants: Photos, descriptions, information USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos University of Wisconsin - Green Bay: Shrubs: Photos, descriptions, information USGS - Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center: Wetland Plants and Plant Communities of Minnesota and Wisconsin Virginia Tech Dept. of Forestry, College of Natural Resources: detailed description and photographs Southwest School of Botanical Medicine: Britton & Brown Illustrated Flora - 2nd Edition (1913) "An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada"