Formerly Known As: Ledum glandulosum
Labrador Tea is a shrub that likes semi-shady areas, particularly near streams. The leaves are aromatic when bruised, but the plant is poisonous, so brewing up a batch is inadvisable.
Blooms: June - August
Lifespan: Perennial (shrub)
Origins: Native to California (see distribution maps for California and U.S./Canada)
Rhododendron columbianum etymology: Rhododendron derives from the Greek term for "rose tree".[1] Columbianum[2] means "related to western North America" when you see it in a botanical name. It's derived from Columbus and his voyages to various Caribbean islands, which you probably didn't know were part of western North America.
This Photo: Near a streambed along the Pohono Trail between Taft Point and Sentinel Dome, late June. Elevation around 7,500 feet (2,300 meters).
Other Resources: CalFlora · CalPhotos · USDA · eFloras.org