Spiraea splendens

Rosy Spirea

Rosy Spirea
aka Spiraea densiflora, Subalpine Spirea, Mountain Spirea. These low shrubs, 2′ – 4′ (60 – 120 cm) tall, can produce a dazzling floral display. While the individual rose-pink flowers are small, only about 1/8″ long, they form dense flat-topped or rounded clusters, 1″ – 3″ across, which appear fuzzy due to the many projecting stamens. It’s ‘rosiness’ even extends to its bark which is red tinged. Usually found in moist thickets, meadows and open rocky slopes between 4,000′ to 6,500′ elevation.

Family:

Rosaceae - ROSE FAMILY

Genus:

Spiraea is Greeek for speira 'spire', wreath or shrub

Species:

splendens simply means 'spendid'
Photo location: From Berkeley Park, along Skyline trail near Paradise, the shore of Reflection Lake and the Naches Loop Trail.