Spiraea splendens | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Rosales |
Family: | Rosaceae |
Genus: | Spiraea |
Species: | S. splendens |
Binomial name | |
Spiraea splendens Baumann ex K. Koch | |
Synonyms[1][2][3] | |
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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,[citation needed] rose meadowsweet,[4] rosy spiraea,[citation needed] subalpine spiraea,[4] and mountain spiraea.[5][6] It is commonly found at elevations between 2,000 feet (610 m) and 11,000 feet (3,400 m) on inland mountain ranges.[5] The plant is adapted to cold, moist, rocky slopes, subalpine forests and meadows.[5]
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.[7]
Casebeer, M. (2004). Discover California Shrubs. Sonora, California: Hooker Press. ISBN 0-9665463-1-8.