Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

Broadleaf Meadowsweet (Spiraea latifolia)

Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Rosales>Rosaceae>Spiraea latifolia (Aiton) Burkhart

An uncommon small shrub of wetands in the Mountains. The white flowers are borne in elongate panicles. Differs from the similar Spiraea alba in having slightly broader leaves and glabrous (smooth) inflorescence branches. Sometimes treated as Spiraea alba var. latifolia.

Grayson Co., VA 7/3/06.

The leaves are about 2-3 x as long as broad (3-5 for alba) and are coarsely toothed (more finely toothed in alba).

Grayson Co., VA 7/3/06.

Bark detail.

Grayson Co., VA 7/3/06.

More information:
USDA PLANTS database
Virginia Tech Dendrology

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