spelaea

Spelaea is not currently recognized as an accepted genus in modern botanical nomenclature. In contemporary taxonomic references and major plant databases, spelaea is generally treated as either a misspelling or an obsolete variant of the genus Spiraea, a well-known group within the Rosaceae (rose) family. If spelaea appears in historical or older literature, it is typically guidance to verify the taxonomic context and to compare it against established names.

In practice, the plants most commonly associated with the term confusion are Species of Spiraea. Spiraea comprises numerous deciduous shrubs native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere and is valued for ornamental use in gardens and landscape plantings. These species typically exhibit simple leaves and inflorescences of small flowers, often pink or white, arranged in clusters. Spiraea species vary in size, growth habit, and flowering time, but many are noted for relatively easy cultivation and adaptability to a range of soils and climates.

Taxonomic status and nomenclature are governed by the rules of the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN). Currently accepted sources such as IPNI and Plants of the World Online do not recognize spelaea as a valid genus name, reinforcing its status as an historical or erroneous form rather than a distinct taxon.

If encountering spelaea in a text, it is prudent to check the surrounding context and consult up-to-date taxonomic databases to determine whether the intended reference is to Spiraea or another name. See also Spiraea, Rosaceae, and plant taxonomy databases.