Meadowsweet

Filipendula ulmaria

Meadowsweet has fluffy white flowers that smell sweet! It's often found in wet areas and is loved by insects.

Habitat: Wet meadows and marshes

Appearance

The Meadowsweet has creamy-white, frothy flower clusters that look like tiny clouds atop reddish, grooved stems. Its dark green leaves are deeply serrated and often have a whitish underside, giving it a distinct two-toned look.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderRosalesFamilyRosaceaeGenusFilipendula

Meadowsweet

Interesting facts

It was a sacred plant for ancient Celtic priests, the Druids.

Its fragrant flowers were used to flavor mead, a popular honey drink.

People once used its flowers to scent homes and strew on floors!

The plant contains chemicals similar to aspirin, discovered in the 19th century.

Special abilities

Meadowsweet has a strong, sweet almond-like scent that helps it attract many busy insect pollinators.

Meadowsweet can grow in really wet soils, using its roots to absorb extra water and thrive where other plants might struggle.

Meadowsweet has natural compounds that help it defend against pests and diseases, keeping itself healthy.

Measurements & details

Height: 50-150 cm
Spread: 30-90 cm
Flower Size: 0.3-0.5 cm
Bloom Season: Summer to early autumn
Is Edible: Yes
Toxicity: Mild
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pollination Method: Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

Honeybee

Apis mellifera

Gathers nectar and pollen from its abundant flowers.

pollinates

Common Carder Bee

Bombus pascuorum

Visits meadowsweet flowers for vital nectar and pollen.

eaten by

Dock Leaf Beetle

Gastrophysa viridula

Larvae and adults feed on meadowsweet leaves.

Traits

Deciduous

Discover the magic of plants that shed all their leaves during a particular season, often putting on a spectacular show of fall colors first. They get ready for a fresh start!

Summer Blooming

Enjoy the sunny days with these vibrant plants that show off their stunning flowers all through the warmest months, adding color to the long summer days.

Fragrant Flower

Discover flowers that release delightful scents into the air, enchanting our senses and attracting helpful insects. Take a moment to enjoy their sweet perfume!

Medicinal

Discover special plants that people have used for centuries to help them feel better or stay healthy, often found in nature's own medicine cabinet.

Wetland

These fascinating areas are covered by water for at least part of the year, creating a perfect home for unique plants and animals, like marshes and swamps.