dropwort

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• dropwort

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Filipendula vulgaris f. hevesiensis
• Spiraea filipendula f. apetala
• Spiraea filipendula var. minor
• Filipendula pubescens
• Ulmaria angustifolia
• Spiraea vulgaris
• Filipendula hexapetala f. glabra
• Filipendula hexapetala f. hevesiensis
• Spiraea noeana
• Filipendula hexapetala var. pleniflora
• Spiraea filipendula
• Spiraea gigantea
• Ulmaria filipendula
• Ulmaria filipendula
• Filipendula hexapetala f. pubescens
• Spiraea filipendula glabra
• Spiraea filipendula var. minor
• Spiraea vulgaris var. plena
• Spiraea filipendula var. pubescens
• Spiraea filipendulina
• Spiraea dasyantha var. pubescens

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. Following its classification through the subclass Magnoliidae and order Rosales, it is a member of the Rosaceae family. Ultimately, it is identified by the genus Filipendula.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed throughout the northern regions of Europe. Its presence can be documented across several specific countries in Northern Europe, including Denmark and Finland. Additionally, it is found within the landscapes of Great Britain and Ireland. The species also extends its range into the territory of Norway. Consequently, its geographical footprint is concentrated in these northernmost parts of the continent.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Filipendula vulgaris is defined by its preference for transitional and open landscapes, ranging from dense woodland environments to expansive, sun-exposed grasslands. This species is commonly found inhabiting cut-over forests, established forests, and forest edges, where it benefits from the shifting light dynamics of the ecotone. Beyond the forest canopy, it thrives in diverse open habitats including meadows, particularly those characterized by dry conditions, as well as shrubberies and steppe environments. This ability to colonize various successional stages, from disturbed forest clearings to stable, arid grasslands, highlights its adaptability to different moisture levels and light intensities within its ecological niche.

Habitat :

cut-over forest, forest, forest edges, meadows: dry, shrubberies, steppe

Life history

The life history of Filipendula vulgaris is characterized by its existence as a perennial plant, ensuring its presence in its ecosystem over multiple growing seasons. As a hemicryptophyte, its perennating buds are located at or just below the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or the soil itself during unfavorable conditions. This species exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage annually as it transitions through its seasonal cycles.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

Morphologically, Filipendula vulgaris is characterized as a non-woody herb and forb that exhibits a self-supporting growth habit. The plant typically grows in an erect shoot orientation and is classified as an independent, terrestrial organism rather than an epiphyte or parasite. In terms of stature, it reaches a minimum height of 0.3 m, with a mean plant height of approximately 0.325 m, and can attain a maximum height of up to 0.8 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.8 m

Plant height mean:

0.325 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Filipendula vulgaris is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. As a non-carnivorous species, it relies entirely on soil-based nutrient uptake rather than the capture of prey. The plant exhibits specific foliar morphology and structural adaptations, maintaining a mean leaf size of 35.2 cm². The leaves are typically narrow, with a consistent leaf width ranging from a minimum to a maximum of 3 cm, while the leaf length can reach a maximum of 13.5 cm. Furthermore, the plant possesses a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 183.94 cm²/g, reflecting the relationship between its leaf surface area and its dry mass density.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

13.5 cm

Leaf size mean:

35.2 cm²

Leaf width mean:

3 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

183.94 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Filipendula vulgaris is primarily sexual, characterized by bisexual flowers that facilitate the production of offspring. The flowering period typically begins in June and concludes in July. The pollination process is biotic, specifically driven by an insect syndrome with a strong reliance on bees. Notably, self-fertilization is absent in this species, necessitating external agents for successful fertilization. Following pollination, the plant produces indehiscent fruits classified as achenes, which have an average length of 0.4 cm. These fruits are prolific, containing a high density of seeds ranging from 101 to 1000 seeds per fruit. The seeds themselves are quite small, with a mean mass of approximately 0.000810952333333333 g, a minimum mass of 0.000518 g, and a maximum mass of 0.00131 g. For dispersal, the species utilizes an anemochorous syndrome, meaning the seeds are dispersed by the wind. There is no evidence of asexual reproduction in this plant.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Jul

Fruit length mean:

0.4 cm

Fruit type :

achene

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed mass max:

0.00131 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000810952333333333 g

Seed mass min:

0.000518 g

Seeds_per_fruit :

101-1000

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Filipendula vulgaris has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CATECHIN, Flavonoids, Hyperoside, RUTIN, quercetin.

CATECHIN

1. Natural product research

Flavonoids

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Hyperoside

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

RUTIN

1. Natural product research

quercetin

1. Natural product research

rosmarinic acid

1. Natural product research

Activities

Filipendula vulgaris has 4 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Anticholinesterase, Antihyperglycemic, Antimicrobial.

Antioxidant

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Chemistry & biodiversity

Anticholinesterase

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Antihyperglycemic

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antimicrobial

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Medicinal Uses

Filipendula vulgaris has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include antihyperglycemic.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations