Spiraea splendens explained

Spiraea splendens is a shrub of the rose family (Rosaceae) native to the western mountains of North America, from California to British Columbia, commonly known as dense-flowered spiraea, rose meadowsweet,[1] rosy spiraea, subalpine spiraea,[1] and mountain spiraea.[2] [3] It is commonly found at elevations between 2000feet and 11000feet on inland mountain ranges.[2] The plant is adapted to cold, moist, rocky slopes, subalpine forests and meadows.[2]

It is a woody shrub rarely reaching a meter in height. It has light green toothed leaves which turn yellow as cold weather approaches. The plant bears fragrant, fuzzy pom-poms of bright rosy pink flowers in the summer. The fruit is a tiny dry pod, no more than one eighth of an inch in length.

Native Americans made a tea-like drink from the leaves.[4]

References

Book: Casebeer, M. . 2004 . Discover California Shrubs . Sonora, California . Hooker Press . 0-9665463-1-8.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Klinkenberg . Brian. . 2014 . Spiraea splendens . E-Flora BC: Electronic Atlas of the Plants of British Columbia [eflora.bc.ca]. . Lab for Advanced Spatial Analysis, Department of Geography, University of British Columbia, Vancouver . 7 September 2014.
  2. Web site: Sullivan . Steven. K. . Spiraea splendens . Wildflower Search . 2013 . 7 September 2014 .
  3. Sierra Nevada Wildflowers, Karen Wiese, 2nd ed, 2013, p 89
  4. Book: Reiner, Ralph E.. Introducing the Flowering Beauty of Glacier National Park and the Majestic High Rockies. Glacier Park, Inc.. 1969. 78.