Spiraea japonica
Common name
Japanese spiraea
Family
Rosaceae
Flora category
Vascular – Exotic
Structural class
Trees & Shrubs - Dicotyledons
Conservation status
Not applicable
Habitat
Terrestrial.
Detailed description
A semi-deciduous shrub growing to 1.5 m tall, forming small thickets. Erect stems which are finely striated, downy and red when young, and reddish brown and smooth on older stems. The leaves are spreading or slightly ascending. 4-10cm long and 1-3 cm wide, and are lance-shaped to narrow-elliptical with irregular shallow serrations. The network of veins show distinctly on the pale green underside. The flower heads are dense hairy and spreading with numerous small (c. 2mm diam.) rose red flowers in a multi-stemmed head. Flowering takes place Nov-Mar. Seeds are fine and numerous.
Flowering
November, December, January, February, March
Flower colours
Red/Pink
Year naturalised
1975
Origin
Japan, China
Etymology
japonica: Of Japan
Reason For Introduction
Ornamental