ROSE FAMILY 
( llosacece) 
(A) Meadowsweet (Spircea salicifolia) is a common 
and beautiful shrub that grows along the edges of 
woods, swamps or even roadsides. Its handsome pyra¬ 
midal clusters of flowers are in evidence during July 
and August. The stem is straight, slender, woody and 
yellowish buff; along it, at close intervals, alternate 
the lanceolate, toothed, short-stemmed leaves. At the 
top is a spire-like panicle of fleecy flower clusters. Each 
flower has five, round, white petals and numerous long, 
pink stamens that give the flowers a feathery appear¬ 
ance and a rosy tint. It ranges from N. Y. to Mo. and 
southwards. 
(B) Hardhack; Steeplebush {Spircea tomentosa) is 
one of our most beautiful flowering shrubs. The flower 
spike is more slender and steeple-like than that of Mead¬ 
owsweet and the flowers are a beautiful shade of pink. 
The leaves are more closely alternated and are dark 
green above and lighter below. Steeplebush grows in 
low ground from N. B. to Minn, and southwards. 
84 
