Queen of the Meadow, Meadow Sweet; Bridewort, Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim., Naturalized Minnesota Wildflower plant, Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden

(Meadow Sweet; Bridewort). Growing in prolific numbers near the bridge at the far end of the Woodland Garden, this herb is a native of Europe, from which salicylic acid (the basis of aspirin) was first obtained from the flowers in 1835. The small white 5 part stalked flowers appear in dense clusters near the tops of the stems. The fruit matures to a smooth spiral shaped seed. The plant can reach up to 6 feet in height and definitely likes wet feet. The leaves are pinnately divided and doubly toothed; the underside the leaves are gray-white, hairy and prominently veined. The terminal leaflet has three to five lobes. Note: The plant has various common names, likewise, other plants have been given this common name. The Scientific name of Filipendula is from the Latin filum for "thread" and pendulus for "hanging," referring to how the small tubers are strung together by fibrous roots of the species after which the plant was named. The species name of ulmaria means elm-like as a leaflet is similar to the wrinkled top of an elm leaf. A scientific name synonym is Spiraea ulmaria L.

	Plants of the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
	Common Name	Scientific Name	Plant Family	Garden Location	Prime Season
	Queen of the Meadow	Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim.	Rose	Woodland	Early to Late Summer
Other names and notes	(Meadow Sweet; Bridewort). Growing in prolific numbers near the bridge at the far end of the Woodland Garden, this herb is a native of Europe, from which salicylic acid (the basis of aspirin) was first obtained from the flowers in 1835. The small white 5 part stalked flowers appear in dense clusters near the tops of the stems. The fruit matures to a smooth spiral shaped seed. The plant can reach up to 6 feet in height and definitely likes wet feet. The leaves are pinnately divided and doubly toothed; the underside the leaves are gray-white, hairy and prominently veined. The terminal leaflet has three to five lobes. Note: The plant has various common names, likewise, other plants have been given this common name. The Scientific name of Filipendula is from the Latin filum for "thread" and pendulus for "hanging," referring to how the small tubers are strung together by fibrous roots of the species after which the plant was named. The species name of ulmaria means elm-like as a leaflet is similar to the wrinkled top of an elm leaf. A scientific name synonym is Spiraea ulmaria L.