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Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Root - cooked[1][2].

Young leaves - cooked as a flavouring in soups[3]. Young leaves, flowers and roots are brewed into a tea[4]. The dried leaves are used as a flavouring[5][6], especially as a sweetener in herb teas[7][4].

The flowers are used as a flavouring in various alcoholic beverages and in stewed fruits[4]. Adding them to wine or beer is said to make a very heady brew[8]. They are also made into a syrup which can be used in cooling drinks and fruit salads[4].

Unknown part

Flowers

Leaves

Material uses

A black dye is obtained from the roots. It is brown[2].

A yellow dye is obtained from the plant tops[9]. An essential oil obtained from the flower buds is used in perfumery[10][11]. The whole plant, but especially the leaves[12], was formerly used as a strewing herb, imparting an almond-like fragrance[13][14]. Strongly aromatic, its delightful perfume would completely fill the room[8].

Both flowers and leaves have been used in pot-pourri, retaining their scent for several months. The scent of the dried flowers becoming more and more pleasant with age[12].

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Meadowsweet has a very long history of herbal use, it was one of the three most sacred herbs of the Druids[15]. The leaves and flowering stems are alterative, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, aromatic, astringent, diaphoretic, diuretic, stomachic and tonic[13][16][17][18]. The plant is harvested in July when it is in flower and can be dried for later use[13]. The flower head contains salicylic acid, from which the drug aspirin can be synthesised[19][15]. Unlike the extracted aspirin, which can cause gastric ulceration at high doses, the combination of constituents in meadowsweet act to protect the inner lining of the stomach and intestines whilst still providing the anti-inflammatory benefits of aspirin[20]. The herb is a valuable medicine in the treatment of diarrhoea, indeed it is considered almost specific in the treatment of children's diarrhoea[13]. It is also considered to be a useful stomachic, being used to treat hyperacidity, heartburn, gastritis and peptic ulcers, for which it is one of the most effective plant remedies[13][15]. It is also frequently used in the treatment of afflictions of the blood[13]. Meadowsweet is also effective against the organisms causing diphtheria, dysentery and pneumonia[15]. This remedy should not be given to people who are hypersensitive to aspirin[15].

A strong decoction of the boiled root is said to be effective, when used externally, in the treatment of sores and ulcers[8].

A homeopathic remedy is made from the fresh root[16].

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown in the autumn in a cold frame[21]. The seed can also be sown in a cold frame in spring, germinating best at a temperature of 10 - 13°c[19]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings 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. Division in autumn or winter[19]. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Filipendula ulmaria. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Requires a humus-rich moist soil in semi-shade[19]. Succeeds in full sun only if the soil is reliably moist throughout the growing season[19]. Dislikes dry or acid soils[21][22]. Does well in marshy soils[23][19]. Grows well in heavy clay soils.

The flowers have a strong sweet smell[13], which for many people is sickly[12]. The leaves are also aromatic[24], though the scent is very different from the flowers[13]. The leaves are pleasantly aromatic[12]. A good bee plant[23][25].

Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[26].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Filipendula ulmaria. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Filipendula ulmaria.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Filipendula ulmaria
Genus
Filipendula
Family
Rosaceae
Imported References
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
2
Heat Zone
?
Water
high
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
Soil Texture
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    Fertility
    Pollinators
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type

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    "image:Filipendula ulmaria (flower spike).jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Filipendula ulmaria (flower spike).jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


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    "image:Filipendula ulmaria (flower spike).jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

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    References

    1. ? 1.01.1 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.22.3 Carruthers. S. P. (Editor) Alternative Enterprises for Agriculture in the UK. Centre for Agricultural Strategy, Univ. of Reading ISBN 0704909820 (1986-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.4 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.1 Loewenfeld. C. and Back. P. Britain's Wild Larder. David and Charles ISBN 0-7153-7971-2 ()
    6. ? 6.06.1 Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press ISBN 0192176218 (1969-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.1 Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-33545-3 (1975-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.28.38.48.5 Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. ISBN 0-330-30725-8 (1990-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.1 Coon. N. The Dictionary of Useful Plants. Rodale Press ISBN 0-87857-090-x (1975-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.112.212.312.4 Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (1994-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.113.213.313.413.513.613.713.813.9 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    14. ? 14.014.1 Freethy. R. From Agar to Zenery. The Crowood Press ISBN 0-946284-51-2 (1985-00-00)
    15. ? 15.015.115.215.315.415.5 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    16. ? 16.016.116.2 Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 (1981-00-00)
    17. ? 17.017.1 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
    18. ? 18.018.1 Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism. ()
    19. ? 19.019.119.219.319.419.519.619.7 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    20. ? 20.020.1 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
    21. ? 21.021.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    22. ? 22.022.1 Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)
    23. ? 23.023.1 Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden. ()
    24. ? Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30936-9 (1991-00-00)
    25. ? Carter D. Butterflies and Moths in Britain and Europe. Pan ISBN 0-330-26642-x (1982-00-00)
    26. ? Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. ISBN 0 460 86048 8 (1990-00-00)

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