Meadowsweet

Meadowsweet can be found in damp meadows, bogs, along the edge of a pond or river bank, and in woodland that is open and damp.

The perennial herb has a reddish angled stem that branches near the top. It grows up to 47 inches tall. The flowers have five petals and are a creamy white colour. They usually bloom between June and August.

The druids thought meadowsweet was sacred. The herb is found in Chaucers writing, The Knights Tale, as a drink ingredient. It was known as meadwort. During Elizabethan times meadowsweet was spread on floors to provide a pleasant odor.

Photos courtesy of Tony Richards

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