Spirea Ulmaria (Rosaceae)
Meadowsweet is a European and Western Asian native that has a long and interesting history with people. It is a hardy 3-6 ft. plant with reddish/ purple stems and dark green leaves, divided, pinnate and elm-like (ul-maria). The flowers are delicate, creamy white and have a delicate, sweet smell. Grows in moist open meadows. It was the favorite “strewing herb” of Queen Elizabeth I. It has been used medicinally as an astringent and for stomach upset and as flavoring for vinegars and meads. The plant contains salicylic acid which is the analgesic basis of aspirin. There is also a pink flowering species that you see around. I haven’t had much luck propagating from seed. I’d love to get my hands on a patch of it.
Meadowsweet is a European and Western Asian native that has a long and interesting history with people. It is a hardy 3-6 ft. plant with reddish/ purple stems and dark green leaves, divided, pinnate and elm-like (ul-maria). The flowers are delicate, creamy white and have a delicate, sweet smell. Grows in moist open meadows. It was the favorite “strewing herb” of Queen Elizabeth I. It has been used medicinally as an astringent and for stomach upset and as flavoring for vinegars and meads. The plant contains salicylic acid which is the analgesic basis of aspirin. There is also a pink flowering species that you see around. I haven’t had much luck propagating from seed. I’d love to get my hands on a patch of it.
Meadowsweet is a European and Western Asian native that has a long and interesting history with people. It is a hardy 3-6 ft. plant with reddish/ purple stems and dark green leaves, divided, pinnate and elm-like (ul-maria). The flowers are delicate, creamy white and have a delicate, sweet smell. Grows in moist open meadows. It was the favorite “strewing herb” of Queen Elizabeth I. It has been used medicinally as an astringent and for stomach upset and as flavoring for vinegars and meads. The plant contains salicylic acid which is the analgesic basis of aspirin. There is also a pink flowering species that you see around. I haven’t had much luck propagating from seed. I’d love to get my hands on a patch of it.