Queen-of-the-Prairie
Filipendula rubra
(Rosaceae)
Description: The central stem is
smooth
and sometimes reddish. The Queen of the Prairie (Queen) can grow
from anywhere to 3-7' tall. Leaves can grow to 2' long and are
often yellowish greenish, they become much smaller and more spread out
while ascending to the bottom of the plant. Each leaf consists of
1-7 palmate leaflets, each leaflet is 6" long and are aligned along the
reddish leaf stem. Occasionally, the leaves become spotted from
foliar disease. The pink buds and flowers are about 5-8" across,
and can hold up to 5 pink petals and numerous long white stamens with
pink anthers. The Queen blooms from the bottom up, and has none
to little fragrance. The Queen blooms in the early to mid-summer
around June July and lasts about 3 weeks. Straight afterwards a
reddish fruit is developed and are around 1/4-1/2" across. The
Queen likes to grow in colonies and prefers lots of moisture and
likes average to rich soil with a little sand, loam, and clay in the
mix.
Range and
Habitat: The Queen is a uncommon plant
and
is listed as 'threatened' in Illinois. The Queen is scattered
along the upper basin of the Illinois River and in the Chicago
area. It is mostly located in moist meadows along rivers and in
woodland areas, shrubby fens, and areas in or around springs. In
some areas it has been introduced as part of restoration efforts.