Spiraea splendens is a shrub of the rose family (Rosaceae) native to the western mountains of North America, from California to British Columbia, commonly known as dense-flowered spiraea, rose meadowsweet, rosy spiraea, subalpine spiraea, and mountain spiraea.Sierra Nevada Wildflowers, Karen Wiese, 2nd ed, 2013, p 89 It is commonly found at elevations between and on inland mountain ranges. The plant is adapted to cold, moist, rocky slopes, subalpine forests and meadows.
It is a woody shrub rarely reaching a meter in height. It has light green toothed leaves which turn yellow as cold weather approaches. The plant bears fragrant, fuzzy pom-poms of bright rosy pink flowers in the summer. The fruit is a tiny dry pod, no more than one eighth of an inch in length.
Native Americans made a tea-like drink from the leaves.
References
External links Jepson Manual Treatment Washington Burke Museum Photo gallery