About Spiraea splendens Baumann ex K.Koch
Spiraea splendens Baumann ex K.Koch is a species of shrub in the rose family, Rosaceae. This shrub is native to the western mountains of North America, ranging from California to British Columbia. It has several common names: dense-flowered spiraea, rose meadowsweet, rosy spiraea, subalpine spiraea, and mountain spiraea. It commonly grows at elevations between 610 meters (2,000 feet) and 3,400 meters (11,000 feet) on inland mountain ranges. The species is adapted to grow in cold, moist, rocky slopes, subalpine forests and meadows. It is a woody shrub that rarely reaches 1 meter in height. It produces light green toothed leaves that turn yellow as cold weather arrives. In summer, the plant bears fragrant, fuzzy, bright rosy pink pom-pom shaped flower clusters. Its fruit is a tiny dry pod, no longer than one eighth of an inch. Native Americans made a tea-like drink from the leaves of this plant.
