Dropwort

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Dropwort

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Filipendula
Species: F. vulgaris
Binomial name
Filipendula vulgaris
Moench

Dropwort (Filipendula vulgaris), also known as Fern-leaf Dropwort is a perennial herb of the family Rosaceae closely related to Meadowsweet. It is found in dry pastures across much of Europe and central and northern Asia. It has finely-cut, radical leaves, fern-like in appearance, and an erect stem 50-80 cm tall bearing a loose terminal inflorescence of small white flowers. The tiny flowers appear in dense clusters from late spring to mid summer.

This plant prefers full sun to partial shade. It is more tolerant of dry conditions than most other members of its genus.

[edit] Cultivation and uses

A root decoction has been made from this plant to treat kidney ailments and is an expectorant. Propagation is by seed and the division of the creeping roots.