Sweetspire
Itea virginica L.
Itea virginica, known as Virginia willow or Virginia sweetspire, is a small flowering shrub native to the southeastern United States. It is a member of the Iteaceae family and typically grows in low-lying woods and wetland margins. The plant features small flowers arranged on pendulous racemes.
Description
Itea virginica is a native North American shrub found in regions such as Vermont, Alabama, Arkansas, and others. It was first described in 1753 by Linnaeus. The lectotype for this species is a sheet in LINN annotated as 'Itea 1 virginica' by Linnaeus. Some confusion existed regarding the original material, but the designated lectotype clarifies the taxonomic reference. The plant is characterized by its small, clustered flowers and is commonly found in wetland and woodland habitats.
Other common names
SweetspireTassel-WhiteVirginia SweetspireVirginia-TeaVirginia-Willow
Distribution
Vermont-US · Alabama · Arkansas · Delaware · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Illinois · Indiana · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maryland · Mississippi · Missouri · New Jersey · North Carolina · Oklahoma · Pennsylvania · South Carolina · Tennessee · Texas · Virginia · West Virginia
Synonyms
Diconangia heterophylaItea padifoliaItea virginica f. abbreviata