Family: Rosaceae
white meadowsweet
Paul Drobot
Emmet J. Judziewicz
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Robert W. Freckmann Herbarium (UWSP)
Etymology: Spiraea: ancient Greek word for "a wreath spiraled or twisted" for the twisted seed pod of some of these species
Plants: erect, perennial, 3'-6' tall shrub; stems dull brown
Leaves: alternate, not divided or lobed, oblong to lance-like, 3 to 4 times as long as wide, smooth, edges with fine, sharp teeth
Flowers: white, 5-parted, 1/4" wide, slightly fuzzy; inflorescence a 5" terminal, branched panicle-like cluster; blooms June-Aug.
Fruits: smooth, pod-like with several seeds
Habitat: moist to wet; meadows, streambanks
Conservation Status: Native
Plants: erect, perennial, 3'-6' tall shrub; stems dull brown
Leaves: alternate, not divided or lobed, oblong to lance-like, 3 to 4 times as long as wide, smooth, edges with fine, sharp teeth
Flowers: white, 5-parted, 1/4" wide, slightly fuzzy; inflorescence a 5" terminal, branched panicle-like cluster; blooms June-Aug.
Fruits: smooth, pod-like with several seeds
Habitat: moist to wet; meadows, streambanks
Conservation Status: Native
Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 4, Wetland Indicator = FACW+ Atlas of the Wisconsin Prairie and Savanna Flora: by T.S. Cochrane & H.H. Iltis: habitat, distribution infomation / flowering and fruiting times USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos USGS - Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center: Wetland Plants and Plant Communities of Minnesota and Wisconsin University of Wisconsin - Green Bay: Shrubs: Photos, descriptions, information Virginia Tech Dept. of Forestry, College of Natural Resources: detailed description and photographs Southwest School of Botanical Medicine: Britton & Brown Illustrated Flora - 2nd Edition (1913) "An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada"
Emmet J. Judziewicz
Robert W. Freckmann
Eric J. Epstein
Paul Drobot
