Family: Ranunculaceae
early meadow-rue, quicksilver-weed
Merel R. Black
Robert R. Kowal
University of Wisconsin - Madison (WIS-VP)
Etymology: Thalictrum: from thaliktron, a name used to describe a plant with divided leaves, and a name given to the genus by Dioscorides, the Greek physician and pharmacologist who wrote the Materia Medica, which remained the leading pharmacological text for 16 centuries
Plants: erect, perennial, 12"-28" tall forb
Leaves: thin, hairless, all long-stalked, 1-4 times 3-parted, leaflets 1/3"-1 3/4" wide with 3-12 often round-toothed lobes
Flowers: greenish to yellowish, 4-5-parted, petal-like sepals falling early, fringe-like filaments remain; inflorescence a 6" small, branched cluster; blooms April-May
Fruits: dry seed
Habitat: partial sun to shade; dry to moderate moisture; woods, forests; in sandy, loamy soil
Hazardous: Careful, this plant is hazardous!
Conservation Status: Native
Plants: erect, perennial, 12"-28" tall forb
Leaves: thin, hairless, all long-stalked, 1-4 times 3-parted, leaflets 1/3"-1 3/4" wide with 3-12 often round-toothed lobes
Flowers: greenish to yellowish, 4-5-parted, petal-like sepals falling early, fringe-like filaments remain; inflorescence a 6" small, branched cluster; blooms April-May
Fruits: dry seed
Habitat: partial sun to shade; dry to moderate moisture; woods, forests; in sandy, loamy soil
Hazardous: Careful, this plant is hazardous!
Conservation Status: Native
Flora of North America: Flora of North America Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 7, Wetland Indicator = FACU+ USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos Dan Tenaglia's The Missouri Flora: Fabulous photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leave arrangement key. Southwest School of Botanical Medicine: Britton & Brown Illustrated Flora - 2nd Edition (1913) "An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada"
Robert R. Kowal
Robert R. Kowal
Merel R. Black
Botanical Illustration
Derek Anderson
Derek Anderson
Derek Anderson
Matthew L. Wagner
