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 strong 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 basis of aspirin. We also have the pink flowering japonica species of Asian origin.