Botanical name: Spiraea

Alternative names: Spiraea salicifolia, grasshopper tip

Latin name: Spiraea salicifolia L.

Family: Rosaceae, Spiraea.

Morphological characteristics: It is a deciduous upright shrub, up to 2m high, with dense branches, ridged and short hairs on the branchlets, alternate single leaves, oblong-lanceolate leaves, fine and sharply serrated edges, and hairless on both sides. , petioles are short, hairless, oblong-conical, borne on the top of long branches with leaves in the current year, up to 6-13cm long, hairy, densely flowered, bisexual flowers, short inflorescences, pink petals, 50 stamens Extending out of the petals, the flower has a disc, bracts, calyx and sepals, all of which are hairy. The follicle is upright, about 5mm high, with hairs along the abdominal suture and reflexed sepals. The flowering period is from June to September, and the fruit is ripe for 8 months. -October.

Origin distribution: (domestic) Liaoning, Inner Mongolia, Hebei, Shandong, Shanxi and other places are cultivated and distributed. (Abroad): It is distributed in Mongolia, Japan, North Korea, Siberia of the Soviet Union and southeastern Europe.

Ecological habits: It likes light but tolerates a little shade, is cold-resistant and drought-resistant, and likes a warm and humid climate and deep, fertile soil. It has strong tillering and sprouting power and is resistant to pruning.

Garden purposes: It has luxuriant branches and leaves, leaves like willow leaves, dense florets, pink flowers, and a long flowering period from early summer to early autumn. It is beautiful and beautiful, and is a good garden ornamental plant and nectar plant.

Propagation and cultivation: sowing, dividing and cutting.

Management during the growth period: Fertilize spirea twice a year, once with winter fertilizer and organic fertilizer in winter or early spring; and once with top-dressing fertilizer after the flowers fall. Generally, when fertilizing spirea trees, you can adopt the method of hole application, that is, dig a circular trench about 10 cm deep at the edge of the crown: orthographic line and apply fertilizer into it. This method is both simple and conducive to root absorption. As the tree grows, the diameter and depth of the fertilizing ring trench will also increase. It requires good drainage and ventilation, and timely cultivation. Water the tree appropriately according to its needs, and spray the new high-lipid film to preserve fertilizer and moisture.

Pruning and maintenance: Pruning mainly involves cutting off withered branches, leggy branches, overlapping branches, and diseased and insect-infested branches. Spiraea is very resistant to cold and drought. If you prune the branches and leaves, then the spirea will work hard to grow new branches and leaves. The pruned branches should be covered with callus antiseptic film in time to make the wounds heal quickly and prevent the invasion of germs after rain and cause rot. During the flower bud differentiation stage, spraying Kao No. 3 can convert plant vegetative growth into reproductive nutrition, inhibit the wild growth of main shoots, promote flower bud differentiation, and produce more flowers. For meadowfoam to survive the winter safely, tree protector must be sprayed to protect the tree from freezing, expel overwintering viruses, and pests that settle on the tree and multiply, urging the fruit tree to hibernate early and restore its vitality.

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Common species of the same genus

1. Japanese Spiraea (S. japonica L.), also known as Pink Spiraea, has round branches And slender, covered with short hairs, the leaves are ovate-elliptical, with notched and heavily serrated edges. There are hairs on the dark green veins on the leaf surface, the back of the leaf is slightly white powder and there are hairs along the veins. The compound corymbs are born in the same year. Long branch tops, pink flowers, few stamens, only 25-30, and the follicles are half mature.

2. North China spirea (S.fritschiana Schneid.) is also known as birch leaf spirea and Fretschiana Schneid. Deciduous shrub with thick branches, purple-brown ribs, ovate or round-ovate leaves, irregularly serrated or single-toothed edges, hairy backs, compound corymb inflorescences on the tops of long branches that grow in the current year, flowers White, slightly pink before opening, the stamens are the same as those of Japanese spirea for several days. Follicles are erect when mature.

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Functions and Indications

The roots and young leaves are used as medicine. The roots are collected throughout the year, washed and dried; the young leaves are collected in summer.

The nature and flavor are bitter and cool.

The main functions are heat-clearing and detoxification. It is used for red and swollen eyes, headache, toothache, and cough caused by lung heat; it can be used externally to treat trauma and bleeding.

Usage and dosage: 1 to 2 taels. For external use, apply appropriate amount to the affected area.

Remarks (1) Spiraea japonica L., a plant of the same genus, can reduce swelling and detoxification of leaves, remove saprophytic matter and promote muscle growth. To treat chronic osteomyelitis, mash the fresh leaves or grind the dried leaves into powder, add shochu and apply it to the fistula opening, fix it with tape, change the dressing once a day, and apply it for 3 to 4 weeks. The root can also cure headaches. Use the root with 3 to 5 qian of Polygonum multiflorum, decoct it in water and take it.

Excerpt from "National Collection of Chinese Herbal Medicine"

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Flower Language

Spiraea, also called grasshopper tip, is a typical The flowers are bisexual, mainly white in color, and have a relatively long flowering period, so they are often used in garden landscape cultivation. There are several versions of the origin of the flower language of spirea. One of them is said to be because spirea is very resistant to cold and drought. If you prune the branches and leaves, the spirea will work hard to grow again. As new branches and leaves come, spirea relies on this hard work and tenacity to keep its beautiful flowers in the world forever. Therefore, when we appreciate the beautiful flowers of spirea, we might as well learn about the hard work and tenacious fighting spirit of spirea. These are what we ultimately want.

The flower language and symbolic meaning of meadowsweet: prayer, hard work

Extended reading:

1

"Chinese Tree Chronicles" , "Flora of China"