Seasonal Wild Flowers

Dropwort

Filipendula vulgaris

Rosaceae

May to August

It is scattered and locally common throughout the country.

It is most common in the South, the East Midlands and

parts of the Northeast.

See the BSBI distribution map for Dropwort

Dropwort grows on chalk downs and limestone turf.

It is also planted in gardens from where it escapes and

becomes naturalised.

Dropwort is a native, perennial, tuberous herb, growing

up to 50cm.

The white flowers are in irregular heads.

Each flower is up to 18mm across with 6 creamy-white

petals.

The petals are pink on the back.

There are numerous stamens and between 6 to 12

carpels.

The leaves form a loose, basal rosette.

They are up to 25cm long, dark green and thinly

divided.

Dropwort is closely related to Meadowsweet, but

Dropwort has larger flowers and the petals are pink

on the back.

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Next page: Dwarf Mallow

Dropwort, Silverdale, Lancashire.

Flowerhead with pink-tinged back petals

Close-up of flowers

Immature fruits

Leaves