Spiraea thunbergii
Thunberg's meadowsweet
spreading to arching, densely branched.
sometimes tardily deciduous;
petiole 1–2 mm or indistinct;
blade linear to lanceolate, 2.5–4 × 0.3–1 cm, membranous, base acute, margins irregularly, sharply serrulate, venation pinnate eucamptodromous, secondary veins not prominent, apex acuminate, surfaces glabrous.
mostly axillary, hemispheric panicles, (2–)3–7-flowered, sessile on leafless stems in spring, 2–6 × 2–6 cm;
branches glabrous.
5–8 mm, glabrous.
6–8 mm diam.;
hypanthia crateriform, 2–4 mm, abaxial surface glabrous, adaxial glabrous or puberulent;
sepals ovate-triangular, 1.3–2 mm;
petals white, obovate to suborbiculate, 2–4 mm;
staminodes 10–14;
stamens 18–20, 0.3 times petal length.
oblanceoloid, 1.5–2 mm, glabrous.
= 18.
Spiraea thunbergii
Spiraea thunbergii flowers very early in the spring and may be easily observed due to the obvious flowers on branches lacking leaves; because it can thrive in a variety of soils, it will often persist as the native vegetation returns. Although established in a number of areas, it does not appear to spread aggressively or compete strongly with native species.
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
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