Filipendula ulmaria

Life-forms

Classification System: APG IV

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Regnum: Plantae
Cladus: Angiosperms
Cladus: Eudicots
Cladus: Core eudicots
Cladus: Rosids
Cladus: Eurosids I
Ordoo: Rosales

Familia: Rosaceae
Subfamilia: Rosoideae
Tribus: Ulmarieae
Genus: Filipendula
Subgenus: F. subg. Ulmaria

Species: Filipendula ulmaria
Name

Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim. (1879)
Synonyms

Basionym
Spiraea ulmaria L., Sp. Pl. 1: 490. 1753.

Homotypic
Filipendula ulmaria subsp. pentapetala Gilib. ex Dostál, Kvetena CSR (Fl. Czechoslovak.) 570. 1948, nom. illeg..
Spiraea contorta Stokes, Bot. Mat. Med. 3: 129–130. 1812, nom. illeg.
Spiraea palustris Salisb., Prodr. Stirp. Chap. Allerton 634. 1796, nom. illeg.
Spiraea ulmaria var. incana Desv., Observ. Pl. Angers 160. 1818, nom. illeg.
Spiraea ulmaria var. tomentosa Hayne, Getreue Darstell. Gew. 8 t. 31. 1822, nom. illeg.
Spiraea unguiculata Dulac, Fl. Hautes-Pyrénées 315. 1867, nom. illeg.
Thecanisia ulmaria (L.) Raf., Sylva Tellur. 152. 1838, nom. inval.
Thecanisia ulmaria (L.) Raf. ex B.D.Jacks., Index Kew. 2: 1062. 1895, nom. inval.
Ulmaria palustris Moench, Methodus 663. 1794.
Ulmaria pentapetala Gilib. ex Asch., Fl. Brandenburg 1: 178. 1860, nom. illeg.
Ulmaria pentapetala Gilib., Fl. Lit. Inch. 2: 236–237. 1782, nom. inval.
Ulmaria ulmaria (L.) Barnhart, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 21: 491. 1894, nom. inadmiss.
Ulmaria vulgaris Hill, Brit. Herb. 23. 1756, nom. inval.

Heterotypic
Filipendula denudata (J.Presl & C.Presl) Fritsch, Verh. Zool.-Bot. Ges. Wien 39(4): 591. 1889.
Filipendula denudata (J.Presl & C.Presl) Rydb., N. Amer. Fl. 22(3): 267. 1908, comb. superfl.
Filipendula glauca (Schultz) Asch. & Graebn. ex Dalla Torre & Sarnth., Fl. Tirol 6(2): 543. 1909.
Filipendula megalocarpa Juz., Bot. Mater. Gerb. Bot. Inst. Komarova Akad. Nauk S.S.S.R. 17: 240. 1955.
Filipendula ulmaria f. glaberrima Beck, Ann. K.K. Naturhist. Hofmus. 2: 118. 1887.
Filipendula ulmaria f. megalocarpa (Juz.) T.Shimizu
Filipendula ulmaria f. nivea (Wallr.) Cout., Fl. Portugal 296. 1913.
Filipendula ulmaria f. pulchrifolia T.Ulvinen, Mem. Soc. Fauna Flora Fenn. 57(3): 127. 1981.
Filipendula ulmaria subsp. denudata (J.Presl & C. Presl) Hayek, Fl. Steiermark 1: 871–872. 1909.
Filipendula ulmaria subsp. megalocarpa (Juz.) Shantser, Byull. Moskovsk. Obshch. Isp. Prir., Otd. Biol. 94(6): 63. 1989.
Filipendula ulmaria subsp. nivea (Wallr.) Hayek, Sched. Fl. Stiriac. 7/8 18. 1906.
Filipendula ulmaria var. denudata (J.Presl & C.Presl) Maxim., Trudy Imp. S.-Peterburgsk. Bot. Sada 6(1): 252. 1879.
Filipendula ulmaria var. glaberrima (Beck) Beck, Fl. Nieder-Österreich 2(1): 764. 1892.
Filipendula ulmaria var. glauca (Schultz) Asch. & Graebn., Fl. Nordostdeut. Flachl. 392, 810. 1898-99.
Filipendula ulmaria var. nivea (Wallr.) Schinz & R.Keller ex Schinz & Thell. in Schinz & R.Keller, Fl. Schweiz ed. 3 2: 174. 1914.
Filipendula ulmaria var. subdenudata (Fritsch) Schanzer
Filipendula ulmaria var. tomentosa Cambess. ex Maxim., Trudy Imp. S.-Peterburgsk. Bot. Sada 6(1): 252. 1879.
Spiraea denudata J.Presl & C.Presl, Fl. Cech. 101. 1819.
Spiraea glauca Schultz, Prodr. Fl. Starg. Suppl. 26. 1819.
Spiraea odorata Gray, Nat. Arr. Brit. Pl. 2: 589. 1821.
Spiraea ulmaria subsp. denudata (J. Presl & C. Presl) Arcang., Comp. Fl. Ital. 212. 1882.
Spiraea ulmaria subsp. denudata (J.Presl & C.Presl) Schübler & G.Martens, Fl. Würtemb., 328. 1834.
Spiraea ulmaria subsp. discolor (W.D.J.Koch) Arcang., Comp. Fl. Ital. 212. 1882.
Spiraea ulmaria var. concolor Lange, Haandb. Danske Fl. ed.2, 334. 1859.
Spiraea ulmaria var. denudata (J.Presl & C.Presl) Hayne, Getreue Darstell. Gew. 8: sub t. 31. 1822.
Spiraea ulmaria var. denudata (J.Presl & C.Presl) Cariot & St.-Lag., Étude Fl., éd. 8, 2: 219. 1889, comb. superfl.
Spiraea ulmaria var. discolor Dumort., Fl. Belg. 98. 1827-29, nom. nud.
Spiraea ulmaria var. discolor W.D.J.Koch, Syn. Fl. Germ. Helv. 1: 208. 1835/36.
Spiraea ulmaria var. glaberrima (Beck) Rouy & E.G.Camus, Fl. France 6: 152. 1900.
Spiraea ulmaria var. glabrescens Rouy & E.G.Camus, Fl. Fr. 7: 152. 1900.
Spiraea ulmaria var. glauca (Schultz) Wallr., Sched. Crit. 1: 235. 1822.
Spiraea ulmaria var. nivea Wallr., Sched. Crit. 1: 235. 1822.
Spiraea ulmaria var. tomentosa Cambess., Ann. Sci. Nat. (Paris) 1: 381–382. 1824, nom. illeg.
Spiraea ulmaria var. unicolor Rouy & E.G.Camus, Fl. France 6: 152. 1900, nom. illeg.
Spiraea ulmaria var. viridis Desv., Observ. Pl. Angers 160. 1818.
Spiraea ulmaria var. viridis Wallr., Sched. Crit. 1: 235. 1822, nom. illeg.
Ulmaria denudata (J.Presl & C.Presl) Opiz, Seznam 100. 1852.
Ulmaria glauca (Schultz) Fourr., Ann. Soc. Linn. Lyon ser. 2 16: 370. 1868.
Ulmaria palustris var. denudata (J.Presl & C.Presl) Focke in W.D.J.Koch, Syn. Deut. Schweiz. Fl. ed. 3 1(5): 734. 1892.
Ulmaria palustris var. denudata (J.Presl & C.Presl) Kostel., Ind. Hort. Bot. Prag. 138. 1844, nom. nud.
Ulmaria palustris var. glauca (Schultz) Opiz, Seznam 100. 1852.
Ulmaria pentapetala var. denudata (J.Presl & C. Presl) Asch., Fl. Brandenburg 1: 178. 1860.
Ulmaria pentapetala var. discolor (W.D.J. Koch) Schinz & R. Keller, Fl. Schweiz 243. 1900.
Ulmaria pentapetala var. glauca (Schultz) Asch., Fl. Brandenburg 1: 178. 1860.
Ulmaria quinqueloba Baumg., Enum. Stirp. Transsilv. 2: 47. 1816 [1].

References

Castroviejo, S. et al. (eds.) 2013. Filipendula ulmaria in Flora Ibérica. Plantas vasculares de la Península Ibérica, e Islas Baleares. Published online. Accessed: 2013 Mar 17. Reference page.
Maximowicz, C.J. 1879: Trudy Imperatorskago S.-Peterburgskago Botaniceskago Sada. Acta Horti Petropolitani. St. Petersburg 6: 251.
USDA, ARS, Germplasm Resources Information Network. Filipendula ulmaria in the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN), U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service. Accessed: 28-Oct-07.

Vernacular names
العربية: إكليلية المروج
azərbaycanca: Qarağacyarpaq quşqonmaz
башҡортса: Еркәүек
català: Reina dels prats
čeština: Tužebník jilmový
Cymraeg: Erwain
dansk: Almindelig Mjødurt
Deutsch: Echtes Mädesüß
dolnoserbski: Bagnowa smalanka
English: Meadowsweet
español: Ulmaria
eesti: Harilik angervaks
euskara: Nasai-lore
فارسی: اسپیره
suomi: Mesiangervo
français: Reine-des-prés
Gaeilge: Airgead luachra
hrvatski: Končara
hornjoserbsce: Bahnowa smjetanka
magyar: Réti legyezőfű
íslenska: Mjaðjurt
italiano: Olmaria
日本語: セイヨウナツユキソウ
Līvõ kēļ: Āngastõmāina
Limburgs: Moerasspirea
lietuvių: Pelkinė vingiorykštė
latviešu: Parastā vīgrieze
македонски: Медуника
norsk bokmål: Mjødurt
Nederlands: Moerasspirea
norsk nynorsk: Mjødurt
polski: Wiązówka błotna
română: Crețușcă
русский: Таволга вязолистная
davvisámegiella: Miehtaskážir
slovenčina: Túžobník brestový
slovenščina: Brestovolistni oslad
svenska: Älggräs
Türkçe: Çayırkraliçesi
українська: Гадючник в'язолистий
中文（简体）: 旋果蚊草子
中文（繁體）: 旋果蚊草子
中文（臺灣）: 旋果蚊草子
中文: 旋果蚊草子

Filipendula ulmaria, commonly known as meadowsweet[1] or mead wort,[2] is a perennial herbaceous plant in the family Rosaceae that grows in damp meadows. It is native throughout most of Europe and Western Asia (Near east and Middle east). It has been introduced and naturalised in North America.

Meadowsweet has also been referred to as queen of the meadow,[1] pride of the meadow, meadow-wort, meadow queen, lady of the meadow, dollof, meadsweet, and bridewort.

Description

The stems are 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft) tall, erect and furrowed, reddish to sometimes purple. The leaves are dark-green on the upper side and whitish and downy underneath, much divided, interruptedly pinnate, having a few large serrate leaflets and small intermediate ones. Terminal leaflets are large, 4–8 cm long, and three- to five-lobed.

Meadowsweet has delicate, graceful, creamy-white flowers clustered close together in irregularly-branched cymes, having a very strong, sweet smell. They flower from early summer to early autumn and are visited by various types of insects, in particular Musca flies.[3]

The flowers are small and numerous, they show 5 sepals and 5 petals with 7 to 20 stamens.[4]
Diseases

Many insects and fungi cause disease in meadowsweet.[5]
The meadowsweet rust gall on leaf midrib

Meadowsweet leaves are commonly galled by the bright orange-rust fungus Triphragmium ulmariae, which creates swellings and distortions on the stalk and/or midrib.

The fungus Ramularia ulmariae causes purple blotches on the leaves.

The fungus Podosphaera filipendulae causes mildew on the leaves and flower heads, coating them with a white powder.[6]

The midge Dasineura ulmariae causes pinkish-white galls on the leaves that can distort the leaf surface.
Etymology

Meadowsweet is known by many other names. In Chaucer's The Knight's Tale it is known as meadwort and was one of the ingredients in a drink called "save". It was also known as bridewort, because it was strewn in churches for festivals and weddings, and often made into bridal garlands. In Europe, it took its name "queen of the meadow" for the way it can dominate a low-lying, damp meadow.

The name ulmaria means "elmlike", possibly in reference to its individual leaves which resemble those of the elm (Ulmus). The generic name, Filipendula, comes from filum, meaning "thread" and pendulus, meaning "hanging". This is said to describe the root tubers that hang characteristically on the genus, on fibrous roots.
Synonyms

Filipendula denudata (J.Presl & C.Presl) Fritsch[7]
Distribution
Wild meadowsweet in Wharfedale, near Conistone, North Yorkshire, England

Meadowsweet is common throughout the British Isles[4] in damp areas and is dominant in fens and wet woods.[8][9]

Juncus subnodulosus-Cirsium palustre fen-meadow and Purple moor grass and rush pastures BAP habitat plant associations of Western Europe consistently include this plant.[10]
Uses

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The whole herb possesses a pleasant taste and flavour, the green parts having a similar aromatic character to the flowers, leading to the use of the plant as a strewing herb, strewn on floors to give the rooms a pleasant aroma, and its use to flavour wine, beer, and many kinds of vinegar. The flowers can be added to stewed fruit and jams, giving them a subtle almond flavour. Some foragers also use the flowers for flavour in desserts such as panna cotta. It has many medicinal properties. The whole plant is a traditional remedy for an acidic stomach, and the fresh root is often used in homeopathic preparations. Dried, the flowers are used in potpourri. It is also a frequently used spice in Scandinavian varieties of mead.

Chemical constituents include salicin, flavone glycosides, essential oils, and tannins. In 1897, scientists in the firm Bayer used salicylic acid derived from meadowsweet to synthesise acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin), which was named after the old botanical name for meadowsweet, Spiraea ulmaria.

A natural black dye can be obtained from the roots by using a copper mordant.

A tea made from Filipendula ulmaria flowers or leaves has been used in traditional Austrian herbal medicine for the treatment of rheumatism, gout, infections, and fever.
Culture

White-flowered meadowsweet has been found with the cremated remains of three people and at least one animal in a Bronze Age cairn at Fan Foel, Carmarthenshire. Similar finds have also been found inside a beaker from Ashgrove, Fife,[11] and a vessel from North Mains, Strathallan. These could indicate honey-based mead or flavoured ale, or might suggest the plant placed on the grave as a scented flower.[12]

In Welsh mythology, Gwydion and Math created a woman out of oak blossom, broom, and meadowsweet and named her Blodeuwedd ("flower face").

In the 16th century, when it was customary to strew floors with rushes and herbs (both to give warmth underfoot and to overcome smells and infections), it was a favorite of Elizabeth I of England. She desired it above all other herbs in her chambers.
References

"Filipendula ulmaria". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 12 December 2017.
Richard Chandler Alexander Prior (1863). On the popular names of British plants: being an explanation of the origin and meaning of the names of our indigenous and most commonly cultivated species. Williams and Norgate.
Van Der Kooi, C. J.; Pen, I.; Staal, M.; Stavenga, D. G.; Elzenga, J. T. M. (2015). "Competition for pollinators and intra-communal spectral dissimilarity of flowers". Plant Biology. 18 (1): 56–62. doi:10.1111/plb.12328. PMID 25754608.
Parnell, J. and Curtis, T. 2012. Webb's An Irish Flora. Cork University Press. ISBN 978-185918-4783
Ellis, Willem N. "Filipendula ulmaria meadowsweet". Plant Parasites of Europe leafminers, galls and fungi. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
Ellis, Willem N. "Podosphaera filipendulae (Zhao) Liu & Braun, 2010". Plant Parasites of Europe - leafminers, galls and fungi. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
"Filipendula denudata (J.Presl & C.Presl) Fritsch". www.worldfloraonline.org. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
Clapham, A.R., Tutin, T.G. and Warburg, E. F. 1973. Excursion Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-04656-4
Hackney, P. (Ed) 1992. Stewart and Corry's Flora of the North-east of Ireland. Institute of Irish Studies and the Queen's University of Belfast. ISBN 0-85389-446-9
C. Michael Hogan. 2009. Marsh Thistle: Cirsium palustre, GlobalTwitcher.com, ed. N. Strömberg "Archived copy". Archived from the original on December 13, 2012. Retrieved August 3, 2010.
"myADS" (PDF). Archaeology Data Service. Retrieved 2016-12-15.

M. Pitts (2006). Meadowsweet flowers in prehistoric graves. British Archaeology 88 (May/June): 6

Neltje Blanchan (2002). Wild Flowers: An Aid to Knowledge of our Wild Flowers and their Insect Visitors. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.