Spirea vs meadowsweet

[barbvoakes@hotmail.comStudent]

Are they the same, please?

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Sydnia Ginger Anady

[GCubedStudent]

What I know as spirea are ornamental bushes, but meadowsweet seems to be more of a perennial flower. Specifically  Filipendula ulmaria.

If it is also the same as an ornamental spirea (e.g., spirea japonica), I’d love to know too.

[Dee.MWStudent]

Yep, same thing.  Doc notes at several points that Meadowsweet’s name was changed from Spirea to Filipendula.

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barbvoakes@hotmail.com, Paige

[barbvoakes@hotmail.comStudentTopic Author]

Thanks Dee. Much appreciated 😁

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

Yup. Same critter.

Taxonomists love to change the names of things. Filipendula ulmaria used to be named Spirea ulmaria. 

Here are some its other historical names of that species just for fun.

Spiraea ulmaria 

Ulmaria filipendula

Filipendula elatior 

Filipendula hexapetala 

Filipendula glabra 

Spiraea elatior 

Ulmaria pentapetala 

Spiraea palustris 

Spiraea hexapetala

Ulmaria palustris 

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

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Sydnia Ginger Anady, Paige, CarolAnn, barbvoakes@hotmail.com, Nancy Harden, Georgia Washburn

[Georgia WashburnStudent]

Thanks for the clarification,Doc! It is really goood to know for reference,just to be aware.

 

[Sydnia Ginger AnadyStudent]

does spiraea prunifolia – bridal wreath spiraea have the same medicinal qualities

[Annette LangeStudent]

I have been confused with this as well!  I have a snowmound spiraea (spiraea nipponica) in my yard.  Does this one work as well?  It looks like one of the photos in the lessons.

 

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Sydnia Ginger Anady

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

Most members of the genus will behave similarly. If you want certainty, get Filipendula ulmaria.

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

3 users thanked author for this post.

Sydnia Ginger Anady, Paige, Annette Lange

[Amy SauermanStudent]

I just bought Little Princess Spirea-spirea japonica. Does this have the same properties?

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

It’s been used historically but there’s much less research on it. Hard to say how it compares in strength and similarity to Spirea ulmaria

 

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

[Author]

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