Mead wort (Filipendula ulmaria)

Where?

Mead wort grows in much of Europe on moist to wet soils, with nutrient-rich and weakly to moderately acidic soils. It is a light to semi-shade plant and is usually found in ditches, watercourse margins and wet meadows.

Aussehen?

Mead wort is a perennial, herbaceous plant that reaches growth heights of 50 to 150 centimeters. The stems are reddish in color and branch only above, below the inflorescences. The leaves are dark green and have a white down on the underside. The inflorescences bloom from June to August and consist of many small cream to yellowish white flowers that develop into slightly twisted nutlets after the flowering phase. The flowers give off an intense honey to almond-like odor.

Special features?

In almost all of Europe the mead wort is native, in North America it is an undesirable neophyte. In both Europe and America, it is considered an undesirable pasture herb that is avoided by grazing animals, so it is controlled in many places. It is used in many places to flavor foods and beverages because of its smell and taste. It has also been used in part as a fragrant plant and in herbal medicine