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Lapland Rosebay, Rhododendron lapponicum (L.) Wahlenb.
Ericaceae

Leaves: Alternate, oval elliptical, thick and leathery, and 0.5-2 cm long. The uppersurface is dark green, wrinkled or pitted, and somewhat scurfy with light or reddish scales. The undersurface is light green and densely covered with yellowish-brown scales.

Flowers: Deep purple or magenta, aromatic, 1-2 cm across, in few flowered terminal clusters. They are somewhat bell-shaped, 5-lobed, and have 5-10 stamens. Blooms in late May and early June.

Fruit: Oval-shaped capsules, 5-7 mm long, 5-parted, dark brown or purplish, scurfy, and on erect stalks.

Habitat: Found on serpentine and limestone barrens, tablelands, heaths, and tundra of western Newfoundland, the Great Northern Peninsula, and Labrador.

General: A dwarf, much-branched, matted or erect, evergreen shrub. Newer branches are reddish-brown and densely covered with rusty scales. Older branches are gray.

Source: Native Trees and Shrubs
of Newfoundland and Labrador
By A. Glen Ryan

Used with permission from
Parks and Natural Areas Division
Department of Environment and Conservation
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador 1995