Rhododendron lapponicum : Lapland Rosebay

Scientific Name:

Kingdom: Plantae

Division:

• Tracheophyta (vascular)
• Spermatophyta (seed bearing)
Angiospermae (enclosed seed)

Class: Dicoteldonae (two seed-leaves)

Family: Ericaceae (Heath Family)

Genera: Rhododendron (Rosebay/Rhododendron) (Gk. rhodon= a rose + dendron= a tree = rose tree)

Species: lapponicum (Of Lapland where it was initially described.)

English Name(s):

Lapland Rosebay, Lapland Rhododendron

First Nation Names:

Structure:

• Depressed matted or erect much branched dwarf shrub.
• Stems 5-25 cm long.
• Twigs with bran-like scales.

Leaves:

• Simple (not compound or lobed).
• Elliptic-oblanceolate in shape.
• Leaves a dark, dull green, alternating on the stem, 0.5-2.0 cm long.
• Margins more or less revolute (curled downward).

Reproductive Parts:

• Flowers perfect (bisexual) and regular (symetrical).
• Pedicels (stalks) 3-14 mm long, with bran-like scales.
• Corolla (petals) united, 5-lobed, 8-12 mm long, deep purple or rarely white.
• Flowers very fragrant, in showy clusters at the top of stems.
• Ovary 5 loculed (chambered).
• Sepals separate, 0.5-1.5 mm long, cilliate (marginal hairs),
• Stamens (male parts) 7-8 extending beyond the corolla (petals).

Seed:

• Fruit a dry capsule with bran-like scales, 5-6 mm long.

Not to Be Confused With:

Physiology:

• Caution: Leaves and flowers contain andromedotoxin a toxic resinoid and are poisonous, as is the honey made from the flowers.

Life Cycle:

• Perennial.

Seasonal Cycle:

• Leaves tardily deciduous (falling off).

Animal Uses:

Habitat:

• Dry rocky tundra, stoney slopes, heathland, and occasionally in woodlands.
• Usually growing on acidic soils.

Modern:

Industrial:

Medicinal:

Food:

Traditional Gwich'in:

Folklore:

Industrial:

Medicinal:

Food:

Traditional Other:

Folklore:

Industrial:

Medicinal:

Food: