Back

Click here to search for a different flower

[?]

Open the Advanced Search

Dropwort

Filipendula vulgaris

Please keep in mind that it is illegal to uproot a plant without the landowner's consent and care should be taken at all times not to damage wild plants. Wild plants should never be picked for pleasure and some plants are protected by law.
For more information please download the BSBI Code of Conduct PDF document.

Plant Profile
Other Information
Distribution Map

Flowering Months:

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Order:

Rosales

Family:

Rosaceae (Rose)

Also in this family:

Acute Leaf-lobed Lady's-mantle, Alpine Cinquefoil, Alpine Lady's-mantle, Ampfield Cotoneaster, Arran Service Tree, Arran Whitebeam, Barren Strawberry, Bastard Agrimony, Bastard Service Tree, Bearberry Cotoneaster, Bird Cherry, Blackthorn, Bloody Whitebeam, Bramble, Bristol Whitebeam, Broad-leaved Whitebeam, Broadtooth Lady's-mantle, Bronze Pirri-pirri-bur, Bullace Plum, Bullate Cotoneaster, Burnet Rose, Catacol Whitebeam, Caucasian Lady's-mantle, Cheddar Whitebeam, Cherry Laurel, Cherry Plum, Chinese Photinia, Cloudberry, Clustered Lady's-mantle, Common Agrimony, Common Hawthorn, Common Lady's-mantle, Common Medlar, Common Ninebark, Common Whitebeam, Crab Apple, Creeping Chinese Bramble, Creeping Cinquefoil, Crimean Lady's-mantle, Cultivated Apple, Cultivated Pear, Cut-leaved Blackberry, Damson, Devon Whitebeam, Dewberry, Diel's Cotoneaster, Dog Rose, Doward Whitebeam, Elm-leaved Bramble, English Whitebeam, Entire-leaved Cotoneaster, False Salmonberry, Field Rose, Firethorn, Fodder Burnet, Fragrant Agrimony, Franchet's Cotoneaster, Garden Lady's-mantle, Garden Strawberry, Giant Meadowsweet, Glaucous Dog Rose, Goatsbeard Spiraea, Gough's Rock Whitebeam, Great Burnet, Greengage Plum, Grey-leaved Whitebeam, Hairless Lady's-mantle, Hairy Lady's-mantle, Hautbois Strawberry, Himalayan Blackberry, Himalayan Cotoneaster, Himalayan Whitebeam, Hoary Cinquefoil, Hollyberry Cotoneaster, Hupeh Rowan, Hybrid Cinquefoil, Hybrid Geum, Irish Whitebeam, Japanese Cherry, Japanese Quince, Japanese Rose, Jew's Mallow, Juneberry, Lancaster Whitebeam, Late Cotoneaster, Least Lady's-mantle, Least Whitebeam, Leigh Woods Whitebeam, Ley's Whitebeam, Liljefor's Whitebeam, Littleleaf Cotoneaster, Llangollen Whitebeam, Llanthony Whitebeam, Lleyn Cotoneaster, Loganberry, Many-flowered Rose, Margaret's Whitebeam, Marsh Cinquefoil, Meadowsweet, Midland Hawthorn, Mougeot's Whitebeam, Mountain Ash, Mountain Avens, Mountain Sibbaldia, Moupin's Cotoneaster, No Parking Whitebeam, Ocean Spray, Orange Whitebeam, Pale Bridewort, Pale Lady's-mantle, Parsley Piert, Pirri-pirri-bur, Plymouth Pear, Portuguese Laurel, Purple-flowered Raspberry, Quince, Raspberry, Rock Cinquefoil, Rock Lady's-mantle, Rock Whitebeam, Round-leaved Dog Rose, Round-leaved Whitebeam, Rum Cherry, Russian Cinquefoil, Salad Burnet, Sargent's Rowan, Scannell's Whitebeam, Service Tree, Sharp-toothed Whitebeam, Sherard's Downy Rose, Shining Lady's-mantle, Ship Rock Whitebeam, Short-styled Rose, Shrubby Cinquefoil, Silver Lady's-mantle, Silverweed, Slender Parsley Piert, Slender-spined Bramble, Small-flowered Sweetbriar, Small-leaved Sweetbriar, Soft Downy Rose, Somerset Whitebeam, Sorbaria, Sour Cherry, Southern Downy Rose, Southern Lady's-mantle, Spineless Acaena, Spring Cinquefoil, St. Lucie's Cherry, Steeplebush, Stern's Cotoneaster, Stirton's Whitebeam, Stone Bramble, Sulphur Cinquefoil, Swedish Service Tree, Swedish Whitebeam, Sweet Briar, Symond's Yat Whitebeam, Tengyueh Cotoneaster, Thimbleberry, Thin-leaved Whitebeam, Tibetan Cotoneaster, Tormentil, Trailing Tormentil, Tree Cotoneaster, Trefoil Cinquefoil, Twin-cliffs Whitebeam, Two-spined Acaena, Wall Cotoneaster, Water Avens, Waterer's Cotoneaster, Waxy Lady's-mantle, Welsh Cotoneaster, Welsh Whitebeam, White Burnet, White's Whitebeam, White-stemmed Bramble, Wild Cherry, Wild Pear, Wild Plum, Wild Service Tree, Wild Strawberry, Willmott's Whitebeam, Willow-leaved Bridewort, Willow-leaved Cotoneaster, Wineberry, Wood Avens, Wye Whitebeam, Yellow-flowered Strawberry

Type:

Flower

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Maximum Size:

150 centimetres tall

Habitats:

Gardens, grassland, meadows, parks, roadsides, rocky places.

Flower:

White, 6 petals

The flowers are similar-looking to Meadowsweet but are in looser clusters and larger, each flower growing up to 15mm across and having 5 to 6 creamy white petals, often reddish.

Fruit:

Groups of softly hairy nutlets. Each nutlet measuring up to 4cm across.

Leaves:

Several finely-cut, crowded basal leaflets, darker in colour than Meadowsweet. Fern-like in appearance, hence the plants alternative name of Fern-leaf Dropwort. Leaflets are in pairs of 8 to 10.

Aroma:

The flowers, unlike the similar-looking Meadowsweet are unscented.

Other Names:

Fern-leaf Dropwort, Garden Spiraea, Italian May, Lady's Belt, Lady's Ruffles, Little Queen, Meadowsweet.

Frequency (UK):

Occasionally seen

Summary

Filipendula vulgaris, also known as meadowsweet or dropwort, is a species of flowering plant in the rose family. It is native to Europe and Asia, and it has been introduced to other parts of the world. Filipendula vulgaris is a herbaceous perennial plant that grows to a height of 60-90 cm (2-3 feet). It has pinnately compound leaves and produces clusters of small, white or cream-colored flowers in the summer. The flowers have a sweet, spicy fragrance and are attractive to bees and other pollinators. The plant has a long history of medicinal use, and it is still used in traditional and modern herbal remedies for a variety of ailments. Filipendula vulgaris is also often grown as an ornamental plant in gardens and parks.

Blog

Dropwort (Filipendula vulgaris), also known as meadowsweet, is a herbaceous perennial plant that belongs to the Rosaceae family. Native to Europe and Asia, this plant is now widely cultivated throughout the world for its attractive appearance and medicinal properties. In this blog, we will delve deeper into the characteristics, benefits, and uses of dropwort.

Characteristics

Dropwort grows to a height of up to 1.5 meters and has a spreading habit. The plant has feathery leaves that are compound and divided into small leaflets. In late spring and early summer, the plant produces spikes of small, white or pink flowers that are highly fragrant and attractive to pollinators. The flowers are followed by small, brown fruits that are of little interest to humans.

Benefits

One of the main benefits of dropwort is its medicinal properties. For centuries, the plant has been used to treat a variety of health conditions, including headaches, indigestion, and joint pain. The plant contains compounds such as salicylic acid and flavonoids, which are known to have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Additionally, dropwort has been shown to have a calming effect on the nervous system, making it useful for reducing anxiety and stress.

In traditional herbal medicine, dropwort has been used to treat a variety of digestive problems, including nausea, heartburn, and flatulence. The plant is believed to have a soothing effect on the digestive tract and can help to reduce inflammation and discomfort.

Dropwort has also been used in cosmetics and personal care products due to its skin-soothing properties. The plant contains compounds that are known to have a calming effect on the skin and can help to reduce redness and irritation. Additionally, the fragrant flowers of the plant can be used to make a refreshing and soothing tea that is believed to have a calming effect on the mind and body.

Uses

Dropwort can be used in a variety of ways, both medicinally and decoratively. Here are some of the most common uses for this versatile plant:

Medicinal purposes: Dropwort has been used for centuries to treat a variety of health conditions, and can be taken as a tea, tincture, or extract.
Culinary uses: The fragrant flowers of dropwort can be used to make a flavorful and refreshing tea, while the leaves can be added to salads or used as a garnish.
Ornamental purposes: Dropwort is a beautiful and attractive plant that can be grown in the garden for its attractive foliage and fragrant flowers.
Skin care: Dropwort can be used in cosmetics and personal care products due to its skin-soothing properties.

Dropwort (Filipendula vulgaris) is a versatile and attractive plant that has been valued for centuries for its medicinal and ornamental properties. Whether used as a tea, tincture, or ornamental plant, dropwort is a must-have for any garden or natural medicine cabinet.

Growing and Cultivating Dropwort

Dropwort is relatively easy to grow and cultivate, making it a popular choice for gardeners and herbalists alike. The plant prefers well-drained, moist soil and full sun to partial shade. It is best to plant dropwort in the spring or early summer, and it will typically bloom in late spring or early summer.

To propagate dropwort, you can either divide the plant in the spring or sow seeds in the autumn. When dividing the plant, it is important to make sure that each division has a good root system. If you are sowing seeds, make sure to keep the soil moist and protect the seedlings from harsh weather conditions until they are well-established.

Once established, dropwort is relatively low-maintenance and requires minimal care. You can cut back the plant after it has finished flowering to encourage a second flush of growth, and it is also important to remove any dead or yellowing leaves to maintain its appearance.

Cautions and Precautions

While dropwort is generally considered safe, it is important to exercise caution when using it as a medicinal plant. The plant contains salicylic acid, which is related to aspirin, and it can cause side effects such as digestive problems, nausea, and allergic reactions in some people. Additionally, dropwort should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women, as its effects on the developing fetus or infant are not well understood.

If you are considering using dropwort as a medicinal plant, it is important to speak to your doctor or a qualified herbalist to ensure that it is safe for you to use. Additionally, it is important to use high-quality, standardized extracts or supplements to ensure that you are getting a consistent and effective dose of the plant's active compounds.

Dropwort is a beautiful and versatile plant that has been valued for its medicinal and ornamental properties for centuries. Whether you are growing it in your garden or using it as a natural remedy, dropwort is a plant that is well worth exploring. With its attractive appearance, soothing properties, and ease of cultivation, dropwort is a must-have for any gardener or herbalist.

Conclusion

In conclusion, dropwort (Filipendula vulgaris) is a highly versatile and attractive plant that has been valued for its medicinal and ornamental properties for centuries. Whether you are growing it in your garden for its beautiful appearance, using it as a natural remedy for its soothing properties, or incorporating it into your skincare routine, dropwort is a plant that has a lot to offer.

When using dropwort as a medicinal plant, it is important to exercise caution and speak to a qualified healthcare practitioner to ensure that it is safe for you to use. Additionally, it is important to use high-quality, standardized extracts or supplements to ensure that you are getting a consistent and effective dose of the plant's active compounds.

Overall, dropwort is a highly versatile and attractive plant that is well worth exploring. Whether you are a gardener, herbalist, or simply looking for a natural way to improve your health and well-being, dropwort is a plant that is sure to impress.

Video

Dropwort filmed at Scout Scar (Cumbria) on the 26th May 2023 and at Arnside (Cumbria) on the 3rd June 2023.

Please remember to Like and Subscribe to the WildFlowerWeb YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@wildflower-web

Reproduced by kind permission of the BSBI.

Click to open an Interactive Map