| Spiraea | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Spiraea salicifolia | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Rosaceae |
| Subfamily: | Amygdaloideae |
| Tribe: | Spiraeeae |
| Genus: | Spiraea L. |
| Species | |
About 80-100, see text | |
Spiraea/spaɪˈriːə/,[1] sometimes spelledspirea in common names, and commonly known asmeadowsweets orsteeplebushes, is a genus of about 80 to 100 species[2] ofshrubs in the familyRosaceae. They are native to the temperateNorthern Hemisphere, with the greatest diversity in eastern Asia.
The genus formerly included the herbaceous species nowsegregated into the generaFilipendula andAruncus; recentgenetic evidence has shown thatFilipendula is only distantly related toSpiraea, belonging in the subfamilyRosoideae.
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Spiraea plants arehardy, deciduous-leavedshrubs. Theleaves are simple and usually short stalked, and arearranged in a spiralling, alternate fashion. In most species, the leaves arelanceolate (narrowly oval) and about 2.5 to 10 centimetres (0.98 to 3.94 in) long. The leaf margins are usually toothed, occasionally cut or lobed, and rarely smooth.Stipules are absent.
The many smallflowers ofSpiraea shrubs are clustered together ininflorescences, usually in densepanicles, umbrella-likecorymbs, or grape-like clusters. Theradial symmetry of each flower is fivefold, with theflowers usually bisexual, rarely unisexual. The flowers have fivesepals and five white, pink, or reddishpetals that are usually longer than the sepals. Each flower has many (15 to 60)stamens. The fruit is anaggregate offollicles.[2]
Spiraea species are used as food plants by thelarvae of manyLepidoptera species, including thebrown-tail, thesmall emperor moth, thegrey dagger, thesetaceous Hebrew character, and the mothHypercompe indecisa.
The leaves ofS. betulifolia are eaten byblue grouse in spring, and the plant is browsed by deer in summer.[3]
Native Americans ate the speciesS. betulifolia.[4]
Many species ofSpiraea are used asornamental plants in temperate climates, particularly for their showy clusters of dense flowers. Some species bloom in the spring, others in midsummer.
The following species,hybrids and cultivars are among those found in cultivation:
Spiraea 'Arguta' (bridal wreath)[6] andSpiraea ×cinerea 'Grefsheim'[7] have won theRoyal Horticultural Society'sAward of Garden Merit.
Spiraea containsalicylates.Acetylsalicylic acid was first isolated fromFilipendula ulmaria,[citation needed] a species at the time classified in the genusSpiraea. The word "aspirin" was coined by addinga- (foracetylation) tospirin, from theGermanSpirsäure, a reference toSpiraea.[8][9][10]
Native American groups have various medicinal uses for localSpiraea species.S. betulifolia is used for abdominal pain and made into atea.[11] TheBlackfoot useS. splendens root in anenema and to treatvenereal conditions.[12]
Native Americans foundS. douglasii useful for makingbrooms and hanging seafood to cook.[13]
One detrimental issue with Spiraea species is that they are loved bycarpet beetles; this can then encourage the pests into nearby houses.[14]
There are also numerous namedhybrids, some occurring naturally in the wild, others bred ingardens, including several important ornamental plants:
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