Spiraea (redirected from Spiraeas)

spiraea (spīrē`ə), any plant of the genus Spiraea, Northern Hemisphere deciduous shrubs of the family Rosaceae (rose family). Most are indigenous to central and E Asia, whence come most of the popular ornamental species, e.g., the bridal wreath (S. x prunifolia), native to Japan, and its similar hybrid S. vanhouttei. In these species the fragrant, spirelike flower clusters typical of the genus are borne on long, arching branches. Spiraeas native to North America include the hardhack, or steeplebush (S. tomentosa), a local source of astringent and tonic, and the meadowsweets (several species). The name meadowsweet is also applied to the related genus Filipendula, tall, hardy perennials (also often cultivated) formerly classified as Spiraea because of the similar showy blossoms. Filipendula includes the Eurasian dropwort (F. hexapetala), the queen of the meadow (F. ulmaria), now naturalized in the United States, and the North American queen of the prairie (F. rubra). Spiraeas are classified in the division Magnoliophyta, class Magnoliopsida, order Rosales, family Rosaceae.

---

spiraea (esp US), spirea

any rosaceous plant of the genus Spiraea, having sprays of small white or pink flowers

---

Spiraea 

(spirea), a genus of plants of the family Rosaceae. The plants are deciduous shrubs measuring 0.5–3 m tall. The alternate and simple leaves are usually dentate or serrate. The flowers, which are gathered in cymose, umbellate, or panicled inflorescences, are bisexual and have numerous stamens. The fruit is a follicle with tiny flat seeds.

There are about 100 species of spiraea, occurring in the northern hemisphere, mainly in the temperate zone. About 25 species are found in the USSR. The species S. media, which has smooth-margined or dentate leaves at the apex and white flowers in cymose inflorescences, grows in the northeastern part of the European USSR, in Southern Siberia, and in the Far East. It grows as part of the underbrush of arid forests and forms a dense cover on open slopes. S. salicifolia, which has sharply dentate leaves and pink flowers in pyramidal panicles, grows in Siberia and the Far East along riverbanks and in meadows and bogs. Both 5. media and S. salicifolia are ornamental shrubs commonly found in gardens and parks. Many other species and hybrids are cultivated as ornamentals.

REFERENCES

Derev’ia i kustamiki SSSR, vol. 3. Moscow-Leningrad, 1954.

V. N. GLADKOVA