Filindepula ulmaria(Meadowsweet)

By Alyssa and Gabrielle

What is it?

 A tall perennial plant that grows in damp and marshy places

Flowers: tiny, creamy-white, sweet-smelling, in clusters

Native to: Europe

History

In 1597, botanist John Gerard said the smell “delighteth the senses.”

In 1652 Nicholas Culpeper wrote about the plant's healing effects on the stomach.

In 1682, meadowsweet was mentioned in a Dutch herbal.

Queen Elizabeth Ι decorated her apartment with meadowsweet.

History Cont.

In 1838, salicylic acid was taken from the plant, and in the 1890s, it was used to make aspirin.

The plant was used in folk medicine for cancer and tumors.

Today, it is used as a digestive remedy, colds, etc.

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta▪ Class: Magnoliopsida▪Order: Rosales Family: Pyraloidea Genus: Filipendula

Species: Ulmaria

Uses

To cure colds, respiratory problems, acid indigestion, peptic ulcers, joint problems, skin diseases, and diarrhea

Has been used to help flavor certain wines

Used for many religious, spiritual, or tranquility

Plant Parts Used

The main parts of Meadowsweet that are used are the leaves, fresh or dry. Also, the flowers and roots are used.

Benefits

Many advances in medications, therapy, culinary, and fragrances have been found due to this herb.

Characteristics

Meadowsweet has a reddish, angled stem that can grow up to 120cm tall.

Its leaves alternate and are made of two to five pairs of ovate, or egg like.

Where it Grows

Meadowsweet grows commonly in damp places

Although, it does not grow on acid peats.

The plant is native of Europe and West Asia. Later, it was introduced and grown in North America.

It is also found in the eastern parts of the US and Canada.

Wisconsin

New Jersey

Eastern Canada

Where it Grows in North America

Colorado

IllinoisMinnesota

KentuckyIndiana

Ohio Pennsylvania

Maine

New York

Massachusetts

NewHampshire

Vermont

Connecticut

Common Names

Spiraea ulmaria

Bridewort

Meadow queen

Meadow-wort

Meadsweet

Pride of the

meadow

Queen of the

meadow,

Lady of the

meadow

Dollof

Fun Facts

In the Middle Ages, meadowsweet was known as meadwort because it was used to flavor mead, an alcoholic drink.

Meadowsweet was mentioned as a component of a pagan ritual in a 2007 episode of Supernatural.

Q &A about Meadowsweet

Is Meadowsweet endangered? NO

Is Meadowsweet Invasive? NO

Is it edible? YES

Is it used as bio-fuel? NO

Can it survive extreme temperatures? Yes

Is Meadowsweet toxic? NO

Can it be used as building material? NO

Conservation

What can I do to help protect Meadowsweet? Join botanical groups that support the

conservation of similar plants It is not endangered, but we must only

use the plant if we need it and not dig it up (or if so, re-plant)

Let others know about the plant and spread the word!

Biodiversity

Its been used for over 400 years for various uses

Used in: Medicine Science Fragrances Cooking Therapy

The plant has un-bloomed buds and flowers on its stems