Meadowsweet

About

Meadowsweet, or ulmaria, is a plant of wet places. It grows in swampy deciduous forests, willow thickets, eutrophic bogs, wet meadows, and along riverbanks and streams. It is widespread throughout Ukraine, less common in the south. It also occurs in the Carpathians.

This perennial herb reaches a height of 1–1.2 m with a thick creeping rhizome. The leaves are intermittently pinnate: small leaflets sit between large pairs, and the terminal leaflet is large, divided into three to five segments. The leaves are green and glabrous on top, often gray or white-woolly underneath. It blooms from June to July: lush panicles of numerous small creamy-white flowers open at the tops of the stems. Their aroma is very strong and sweet.

Meadowsweet played a significant role in the history of medicine. In 1838, salicylic acid was first obtained from its buds, and later acetylsalicylic acid — aspirin — was created based on it. The name 'aspirin' is derived from the old Latin name for meadowsweet — Spiraea ulmaria.

In folk tradition, meadowsweet flowers are dried and brewed as herbal tea, and in some countries, they are used to flavor beverages, jams, and drinks. Once, the fragrant herb was even scattered on the floors of homes. The plant contains salicin and other salicylic compounds, so people who are intolerant to aspirin should avoid it. Meadowsweet can be distinguished from valerian, which grows in similar wet places, by its fluffy panicle and pinnate leaves with small intermediate leaflets.

Where in the Carpathians

The map shows where naturalists recorded the species (GBIF, CC0 and CC BY records), not every place it lives. The Ukrainian Carpathians are less studied, so a blank area does not mean the species is absent.

Countries

Slovakia · Czechia · Poland · Ukraine · Romania · Austria · Hungary

Mountain ranges

Slovak Ore Mountains, Low Tatras, Slovak Central Mountains, Greater Fatra, Volovec Mountains, Lesser Fatra, Slovak Paradise, Strážov Mountains, Żywiec Beskids, High Tatras

Altitude belts

Foothills (below 600 m) · Beech forests (600–1200 m)

When to see it

From naturalists’ observations in the Carpathians (iNaturalist, research grade): the darker the cell, the more often the species is seen that month.

Safety

Contains salicylates: people who are intolerant to aspirin should avoid teas made from meadowsweet.

Look-alikes — how to tell them apart

In folk tradition

Flowers are traditionally dried and brewed as herbal tea, and they are used to flavor beverages, jams, and drinks.

Protection and rules

Not protected. Collecting plants in reserves and protected areas of national parks is prohibited.

FAQ