Spiraea betulifolia
 
Shining-Leaved Meadowsweet

Lower Plant

Center Block, Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park
28-July-2011

This plant is classified as a shrub.  However, the stem and branches usually die down to near the base annually.

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Betulifolia: Answers to key questions in Budd's Flora and Flora of Alberta leading to this species. 
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leaves broader; NOT [leaves mostly oblanceolate, tapering at both ends]

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inflorescence flat-topped; NOT [inflorescence elongate, conical or ovoid in outline]

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inflorescence broad, open; NOT [inflorescence small, dense]

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petals white; NOT [petals pink or roseate]

 

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Spiraea: Answers to key questions in Budd's Flora and Flora of Alberta leading to this genus. 
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plants taller; NOT [creeping dwarf shrubs]

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plants NOT spiny

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leaves simple; NOT [leaves compound or lobed], NOT [leaves palmately 3-5-lobed]

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leaves serrate or toothed; NOT [leaves entire]

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flowers usually more numerous; NOT [flowers solitary on a long peduncle]

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calyx NOT stellate-pubescent

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petals 5; NOT [petals usually 8]

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ovary or ovaries superior, hypanthium shaped like a saucer, cup or urn and free from the ovary; NOT [ovary inferior, enclosed in and adnate to the hypanthium]

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carpels 3-5; NOT [carpel 1], NOT [carpels numerous]

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fruit a dry, leathery follicle; NOT [fruit fleshy], NOT [fruit drupelets (raspberry-like)]

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fruit dehiscent

 

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Rosaceae: Answers to key questions in Budd's Flora  leading to this family.  Not all the answers apply to all the members of this family, but they all do apply to Spiraea
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shrubs or trees; NOT [herbs]

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plants NOT climbing

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stems NOT armed with prickles

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plants with normal leaves

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leaves alternate; NOT [leaves opposite]

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leaves simple; NOT [leaves compound]

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flowers with two floral rings, and with each petal distinct from the others

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stamens numerous; NOT [stamens less than 10]

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fruit WITHOUT a tongue-shaped bract; NOT [fruit with a tongue-shaped bract adhering to the peduncle]