Root BuyerQueen of the Meadow – Filipendula ulmaria
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Current Demand = Normal |
Current Market Price = $ varies/lb. |
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Family: Rosaceae
Common Names: Meadowsweet, Pride of the Meadow, Meadow-Wort and Bridewort, Spirea, Spirea ulmaria, Meadow Queen
Description
The stems are tall, erect and furrowed, reddish to sometimes purple. The leaves are dark green on the upper side and whitish and downy underneath, much divided, interruptedly pinnate, having a few large serrate leaflets and small intermediate ones. Terminal leaflets are large, long and three to five-lobed. Queen of the Meadow has delicate, graceful, creamy-white flowers clustered close together in handsome irregularly-branched clusters, having a very strong, sweet smell.
They flower from June to early September.
Parts used: herb
Collection: The flowers are gathered during the flowering period from and should be dried gently.
Harvesting/drying:
After harvest, remove all foreign matter (rocks, weeds and other roots) and spread in a thin layer immediately. When possible dry indoors in a well ventilated barn loft or attic to protect from the elements. If natural heat is not available you may need to add heat and a fan for continuous airflow.
The key to drying any root, herb or bark is an even combination of heat and airflow. Never dry in an oven or microwave. They can be completely dry (largest stem will snap not bend) in 3-7 days depending on the drying conditions. Once it is dried place the roots carefully into a cardboard box or paper bag for storage in a dry area until you are ready to sell or use. Never store the tubers/roots in plastic or it can mold.
Propagation: Seed best sown in the autumn in a cold frame or Division in autumn or winter. Prefers moist soil. Wet ground in swamps, marshes, fens, wet woods and meadows, wet rock ledges and by rivers.
Attributes (Images)
By Rasbak (Own work) [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
By Johann Georg Sturm (Painter: Jacob Sturm) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
By Alethe (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 or GFDL], via Wikimedia Commons
By Lazaregagnidze (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons
