IRose 3famili5. 



Meadow Sweet. Spiraea salicifolia. 



Queen of the Meadows. 



Found in thickets, and along moist banks, during July and August 



The bushy stalk bears many branches, and is very leafy ; between 

 2 and 3 feet in height ; it is round, strong and firm-fibred, and 

 covered with a very thin, fine bark of a beautiful, glossy, golden- 

 bronze hue. 



The pretty leaf is oval, with a pointed tip, and finely notched 

 margin ; the ribs are prominent underneath, the texture is firm, the 

 upper surface is smooth, while it is slightly rough underneath. In 

 color it is a full green, lighter somewhat underneath, the midrib pale. 

 The leaves are set on short up-springing stems, and the arrangement is 

 close and alternate. 



The small petals are 5 in number, shell-like, and pinkish-white ; 

 there are many rosy stamens ; the calyx is small, 5-parted, and pale 

 green. The flowers are set on thread foot-stems in little loose spires, 

 that form a large, leafy terminal spire. 



Like the Hardhack {S. tomentosa) the leaves turn upward, with a 

 little arch in the stem; the central flower-spire blossoms first. The 

 plant has a great elegance of line, and some of its details are admirable, 

 such as the color of the stalk, and the especially pretty light brown 

 seed-spires ; the bark frequently splits into long shreds. The blossoms 

 are fragrant. 



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