(n)a Japanese shrub that resembles members of the genus Spiraea; widely cultivated in many varieties for its dense panicles of flowers in many colors; often forced by florists for Easter blooming, Syn.spiraea, Astilbe japonica
n. [ L., fr. Gr. &unr_;&unr_;&unr_;, fr. &unr_;&unr_;&unr_; a coil. ] (Bot.) A genus of shrubs or perennial herbs including the meadowsweet and the hardhack. [ 1913 Webster ]