Meadowsweet - Filipendula ulmaria
Irish name - Airgead luachra
Rose family - Rosaceae
The perennial herb Filipendula ulmaria grows in damp or wet habitats, like wet woodland, damp meadows, pond or river edges. It is characteristic of sites where water levels fluctuate and is absent from permanently waterlogged ground.
The common name Meadowsweet derives from the Anglo-Saxon word ‘medu‘, which means ‘mead’, because it was once used to flavour the drink made from fermented honey. The first part of the scientific name ‘Filipendula‘ derives from Latin and means ‘hanging by a thread’. This refers to the root tubers which hang on the fibrous roots. The second part of the scientific name ‘ulmaria‘ describes how the leaves of Meadowsweet resemble those of the elm (Ulmus).
Meadowsweet is a member of the rose family (Rosaceae). The main leaves are alternate and occur as pairs of serrate (toothed) leaflets, downy white beneath. A characteristic is that pairs of small leaflets alternate with pairs of larger ones. The terminal leaflets are large and three- to five-lobed.
The plant flowers from June to August and it seeds ripen from August to September. The creamy yellow flowers are found in clusters, have a very strong sweet scent and attract many insects. They usually have five petals and numerous long stamens, which give the flower heads the characteristic fuzzy appearance. The almond-like scent of the leaves is quite different from that of the flowers.
Meadowsweet was one of the three most sacred herbs of the Druids. Vervain and Water-mint were the other two. It has been used as a medicinal plant since ancient times and it remains popular as a herbal remedy.
Propagation
From seed
Sow seed as soon as they ripen in autumn in a moist cold frame. Scatter the seed, rake lightly and firm down well. Keep well watered and weeded. When seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer if they have grown enough. If not, keep them in a cold frame for the winter and plant them out in late spring.
By division
Divide the plants in autumn or winter. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, smaller clumps are better potted up and grown in a cold frame until they are well-rooted. Plant them out in the spring.
The following grow in similar habitats (alphabetical by common name)
- Bladder Campion
- Bugle
- Field Scabious
- Goat's-beard
- Harebell
- Hemp-agrimony
- Lady's Bedstraw
- Marsh Marigold
- Ox-eye Daisy
- Ragged-Robin
- Self-heal
- Teasel
- Yarrow
- Yellow Flag
Permission from the landowner - and, if the site holds any kind of designation, from Environment & Heritage Service too - must be sought before collecting plant material (including seeds).