Spiraea alba Du Roi

Meadowsweet, white meadowsweet

Similar species

	You are here Spiraea alba	Spiraea tomentosa
Common Name	meadowsweet	steeplebush
Plant	Shrub is 2–6′ (60–182 cm) around, with multiple stems that are rarely branched. Stems are brown or yellowish brown.	2–4′ (60–121 cm) tall, composed of groups of unbranched stems topped by conical flowerheads. Stems are orange-colored at first, from dense brown hairs, becoming reddish-brown and woody later.
Leaves	Alternate, green and textured above, paler in color beneath, narrowly ovate, and sharply toothed. They have pinnate veins and short stems, and are 1¾–2½″ (5–7 cm) × ⅜–¾″ (1–2 cm).	Alternate, dark green, hairless, and textured on top; pale and hairy below. They are 1½–3″ (3.8–7.6 cm) × ½–1¼″ (1.3–3.2 cm), roughly oval shaped (elliptic to ovate), coarsely toothed, connected by short stems.
Flowers	Large, densely flowered panicles are 2–6″ (5–15 cm) long, composed of individual flowers less than ¼″ (6.3 mm) around. Each flower is white or pale pink, with five petals and a large number of stamens. They flower from June to September.	Dense, cone-shaped panicles of pink flowers 2–6″ (5–15 cm) long, each less than ¼″ (6.3 mm) around, with five petals. Flowers appear from July to September.
Fruit	Dry brown follicles opening at the tip when ripened, and persisting long after flowering.	Pods that contain narrow seeds about 1/32″ (1 mm) long.
Range/ Zones	USDA Zones: 3-7	USDA Zones: 4-8
Habitats	Damp meadows, pastures, old fields, in sandy, loamy soil	Damp meadows, pastures, old fields, in sandy, loamy soil

Spiraea alba description by Thomas H. Kent, not updated.

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