Rank Species | Genus Spiraea Higher classification Bridal-wreaths | |
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Similar Bridal‑wreaths, Spiraea tomentosa, Vanhoutte spirea, Spiraea bumalda, Spiraea billardii | ||
Rose spirea spiraea douglasii
Spiraea douglasii is a species of flowering plant in the rose family. Common names include hardhack, hardhack steeplebush, Douglas' spirea, douglasspirea, steeplebush, and rose spirea.
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It is native to western North America from Alaska across southwestern Canada and the Pacific Northwest. It occurs most often in riparian habitat types, such as swamps, streambanks, bogs and mudflats. It grows among sedges, horsetails, wild blueberries, and other swamp flora. This plant is used as an ornamental in landscaping, where it grows best in sunny, moist places.
Description
The plant is a woolly shrub growing 1 to 2 meters tall from rhizomes, forming dense riverside thickets. Large clusters of small pink flowers form spires in early summer, later turning dark and persisting. The leaves are toothed toward the tips. The undersides are whitish with prominent veins.
Invasive status in Europe
Imported in Europe, the plant is considered as invasive, especially in Belgium, Germany and Poland. Spirea douglasii decreases the biodiversity: it colonizes bogs to the detriment of other plants.
Properties
Native Americans found S. douglasii useful for making brooms and hanging seafood to cook.
