Spiraea douglasii

Spiraea douglasii is a species of flowering plant in the rose family native to western North America. Common names include hardhack, hardhack steeplebush, Douglas' spirea,[2] douglasspirea,[2] steeplebush,[2] and rose spirea.[3]

Spiraea douglasii
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Spiraea
Species:
S. douglasii
Binomial name
Spiraea douglasii
Synonyms[1]
  • Drimopogon douglasii (Hook.) B.D.Jacks.
  • Drimopogon menziesii (Hook.) B.D.Jacks.
  • Spiraea fulvescens auct.

Description

The plant is a woolly shrub growing 1 to 2 meters tall from rhizomes, forming dense riverside thickets.[4] 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.

Distribution and habitat

Spiraea douglasii 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.[4] It was introduced to Europe, where it is considered invasive. It grows among sedges, horsetails, wild blueberries, and other swamp flora.[4]

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.[5][6]

Properties and uses

Native Americans found S. douglasii useful for making brooms and hanging seafood to cook.[7] This plant is used as an ornamental in landscaping, where it grows best in sunny, moist places.

References
  1. "The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species". Retrieved June 3, 2014.
  2. "Spiraea douglasii". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 3 June 2014.
  3. USDA Plants Profile
  4. US Forest Service Fire Ecology
  5. "SPIRAEA DOUGLASII". AlterIAS. Retrieved 16 February 2017.
  6. Weber, Ewald; Gut, Daniel (December 2004). "Assessing the risk of potentially invasive plant species in central Europe". Journal for Nature Conservation. 12 (3): 171–179. doi:10.1016/j.jnc.2004.04.002.
  7. Spiraea douglasii. Native American Ethnobotany. University of Michigan, Dearborn.
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