Flowers pale pink or white, in a spike-like cluster at the end of the branch.
Leaves coarsely toothed, hairless underneath, unlike the similar Steeplebush, which has woolly undersides. Stem reddish or brownish, not woolly. Some insects that feed on the nectar of meadowsweet flowers include bumblebees and spring azure butterfly caterpillars. White-tailed deer feed on the twigs. The name Meadowsweet has its origin not in the word 'meadow', but in 'mead-wort', because the flowers of a similar species were once used to flavor mead, or honey wine.