In 2015, the BC Conservation Data Centre changed the name of this taxon in BC from Rhododendron tomentosum ssp. subarcticum to Rhododendron tomentosum ssp. decumbens. It was previously changed from Ledum palustre ssp decumbens to Rhododendron tomentosum ssp. subarcticum.
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General:
Decumbent to erect shrubs; stems mostly 10-50 cm long/tall, rusty soft-hairy.
Leaves:
Alternate, evergreen, leathery, linear to narrowly oblong, 0.3-2.5 cm long, 1-3 (7) mm wide, tapering somewhat towards tip, margins strongly rolled under, rusty soft-hairy beneath; stalks 0.5-2 mm long.
Flowers:
In terminal umbrella-like clusters; flower stalks 0.8-2 cm long, with contorted reddish hairs, glandular, usually abruptly bent near the apex in fruit; corollas much as in L. groenlandicum; stamens usually 10, filaments hairy below the middle; calyces less than 1 mm long, fringed with long, reddish hairs, glandular.
Fruits:
Capsules, egg-shaped, 3-5 mm long, glandular.