Germander meadowsweet

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Germander meadowsweet
• Germander spiraea
• Elm-Leaved Spiraea
• elm-leaf spiraea

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Spiraea chamaedryfolia var. ulmifolia
• Spiraea flexuosa var. stenophylla
• Spiraea ulmifolia subsp. banatica
• Spiraea chamaedryfolia subsp. ussuriensis
• Spiraea ulmifolia f. subalpina
• Spiraea versifolia
• Spiraea ussuriensis
• Spiraea ulmifolia
• Spiraea ulmifolia var. leiocarpa
• Spiraea ulmifolia var. phyllantha
• Spiraea ulmifolia var. pilosa
• Spiraea yazawai
• Spiraea chamaedryfolia subsp. flexuosa
• Spiraea oblongata
• Spiraea flexuosa var. latifolia
• Spiraea ulmifolia f. suborbicularis
• Spiraea ulmifolia var. trichocarpa
• Spiraea chamaedryfolia var. flexuosa
• Spiraea chamaedryfolia var. subracemosa
• Spiraea chamaedryfolia var. vulgaris
• Spiraea chamaedryfolia var. crataegifolia
• Spiraea chamaedryfolia var. pilosa
• Spiraea chamaedryfolia var. pubescens
• Spiraea chamaedryfolia var. stenophylla
• Spiraea chamaedryfolia var. transiens
• Spiraea chamaedryfolia subsp. ulmifolia
• Spiraea belgica
• Spiraea alnifolia
• Spiraea aubifolia
• Spiraea banatica

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Spiraea chamaedryfolia, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Rosales and the family Rosaceae. Its taxonomic lineage concludes with its designation in the genus Spiraea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across several regions within Northern Europe. It can be found growing in the natural landscapes of Denmark and Finland. Additionally, its presence extends to the islands of Great Britain and Ireland. The species also inhabits the rugged terrains of Norway. Collectively, these locations define its specific geographical range across the northern part of the continent.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Spiraea chamaedryfolia is characterized by its presence in diverse environments, including forests, forest edges, meadows, mountains, and areas near rivers. This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, thriving at elevations ranging from a minimum of 600 m AMSL to a maximum of 2200 m AMSL, with a mean elevational range of approximately 1087.5 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

2200 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1087.5 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

600 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest, forest edges, meadows, mountains, rivers

Life history

The life history of Spiraea chamaedryfolia is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, meaning it persists through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its life cycle in a single year. In terms of its structural growth patterns and survival strategies, it is categorized as a phanerophyte, specifically functioning as a phanerophyte due to its elevated buds that are protected above the soil surface. This life form allows the species to maintain its structural integrity and regenerative capabilities over long durations within its ecological niche.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Spiraea chamaedryfolia is characterized by its growth form as a woody shrub. As a self-supporting plant, it does not function as a liana or vine, maintaining its structure independently. It is a terrestrial species, functioning as an independent organism rather than acting as a parasite or an epiphyte. In terms of stature, the plant typically reaches a mean height of 1.55 m, though its size can vary significantly, ranging from a minimum of 0.5 m to a maximum height of 2 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

2 m

Plant height mean:

1.55 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Spiraea chamaedryfolia is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, indicating a standard carbon fixation process typical of many temperate woody shrubs. As a non-carnivorous species, it relies entirely on its root system and soil nutrients rather than specialized mechanisms for capturing prey. The plant's leaf morphology displays specific dimensional variability; the leaves possess a minimum length of 1 cm and a maximum length of 5 cm, with a mean leaf length calculated at 3.125 cm. In terms of lateral expansion, the leaf width ranges from a minimum of 0.9 cm to a maximum of 3 cm, contributing to the overall surface area optimized for light interception and gas exchange.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

5 cm

Leaf length mean:

3.125 cm

Leaf length min:

1 cm

Leaf width max:

3 cm

Leaf width min:

0.9 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Spiraea chamaedryfolia is primarily achieved through sexual means, as the plant features bisexual flowers and lacks asexual reproduction methods. The flowering period typically commences in May and continues through July. During this time, the plant produces small flowers with a length ranging from a minimum of 0.5 cm to a maximum of 0.9 cm, arranged in inflorescences that measure between 0.01 m and 0.025 m in length. The pollination process is biotic, specifically relying on an insect pollination syndrome to facilitate fertilization. Following successful pollination, the plant develops fruit in the form of a capsule. This fruit is characterized as being dehiscence, meaning it opens at maturity to release its seeds.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Flower length max:

0.9 cm

Flower length min:

0.5 cm

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Jul

Fruit type :

capsule

Inflorescence length max:

0.025 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.01 m

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Spiraea chamaedryfolia has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Spiraea chamaedryfolia has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include FLAVANONE, flavonols, Astragalin, CHLOROGENIC ACID, CINNAMIC ACID.

FLAVANONE

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Doklady biological sciences : proceedings of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Biological sciences sections

flavonols

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Doklady biological sciences : proceedings of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Biological sciences sections

Astragalin

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

CINNAMIC ACID

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

kaempferol

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Spiraea chamaedryfolia has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include leaf extracts.

Leaf extracts

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)