white meadowsweet

Spiraea alba Du Roi

White meadowsweet is a shrub that spreads through underground shoots and forms upright stems one to two metres tall. It inhabits moist lowlands, including stream margins, lakeshores, bogs and meadows, where water levels may change during the year. New Jersey DEP, Dodds 2025: Spiraea alba Rare Plant Profile

Botanical name

Kew accepts Spiraea alba Du Roi as a species in Rosaceae, matching the database’s author-bearing name. Kew Plants of the World Online: Spiraea alba

Recognizing the plant

Narrow leaves alternate along yellowish-brown twigs, their margins finely toothed. Terminal flower clusters taper into slender cones. Each white flower has five rounded petals and numerous projecting stamens. The flower-cluster axis and sepals are usually hairy. The resulting small, shiny follicles split along one side to release their seeds. New Jersey DEP, Dodds 2025: Spiraea alba Rare Plant Profile

Seasonal development

North American range; regional timing varies

Flowering is reported from June through September across the range, with fruit sometimes persisting into October or November. The New Jersey profile notes a July flowering peak around Boston and an August peak in Michigan. New Jersey DEP, Dodds 2025: Spiraea alba Rare Plant Profile

Native range

Kew places its native range in west-central and eastern Canada and the north-central and eastern United States. Introduced occurrences are recorded in several European countries, including Germany, France, Britain and Ireland. Kew Plants of the World Online: Spiraea alba

Ecological relationships

Michigan State University recorded moderate bee visitation in timed samples, including yellow-faced bees, mining bees, sweat bees and bumble bees, at its meadowsweet plantings. Michigan State University: Meadowsweet plant facts

Botanical sources

Reviewed 2026-10-11. Seasonal development varies with location and growing conditions.