Dropwort, таволга (Filipendula vulgaris), fam. Rosaceae.
   Grows in meadows and forest clearings, and in the lawns of the city (for example, in the yard of the polyclinic in Rohozivska str.). The pinnate leaves could be at first look confused with yarrow. If a piece of a leaf is rubbed, these plants can be easily distinguished - unlike yarrow, the dropwort does not contain so high concentrations of bitter aromatic substances. It flowers in early summer, when any similarity to yarrow vanishes. However, only few of the plants in the given place are blooming - most remain in the vegetative state.
   The root tubers are rich in starch and edible. The underground part of dropwort is used as medicinal stuff, which is harvested in autumn. The plant provides astringent and diuretic action; it is used against inflammation of gastrointestinal mucosa, kidneys and urinary tract. Dropwort contains a lot of ascorbic acid and salicilates (natural analogues of aspirin, which decrease blood clotting). It is contraindicated in case of constipation, hypotension, and pregnancy. Many people could have increased sensibility to salicilates and other active components of the plant.

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