Spiraea

spi-re'a, a genus of plants bebelonging to the rose family. There are about fifty species found chiefly in the north temperate zone. Various species of the United States are known as meadow-sweet, hard hack, queen of the meadows, goat's beard, steeple bush, bridal wreath, nine-bark, etc. The flowers occur usually in ornamental clusters or panicles, white, pink, or rose colored. Several species are valued as dooryard shrubs.