Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia
Thalictrum dasycarpum Fisch. & Avé-Lall.
Purple meadow-rue, Meadow rue, Tall meadow-rue
Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family)
Purple meadow-rue or tall meadow-rue is a stout, upright
perennial, 2-6 ft. high, with purplish stems branching in the upper portion. The flowers, which occur in loose, delicate, terminal clusters, are creamy-green with petal-like
sepals falling as they open. Numerous, colored, thread-like
stamens remain, becoming drooping and tangled. The leaves are divided into numerous, three-lobed leaflets.
Image Gallery:
17 photo(s) available
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Yellow , Green , Purple
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul
Distribution
USA: AL , AZ , AR , CO , ID , IL , IN , IA , KS , KY , LA , MI , MN , MS , MO , MT , NE , NM , NY , ND , OH , OK , PA , SD , TN , TX , UT , WA , WI , WY
Canada: ON Native Distribution: Ont. to e. B.C., s. to MD, OH, TX & AZ; rare & local in New England, ID, MT & n.e. WA
Native Habitat: Wet meadows; stream banks; prairies
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N) Growing Conditions
Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Wet , Moist
Soil Description: Rich, sandy or calcareous loams. Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam Clay Loam Acid-based, Calcareous
Conditions Comments: In addition to its use in naturalized landscapes, tall meadow rue makes an interesting background plant in designed beds.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Perennial garden, Water garden, Bog or pond area, Ground cover
Use Food: In the first century AD, Pliny recomended meadowrue for preventing baldness and restoring hair. Most species produce chemicals called alkaloids, some of which have been used to combat tumours. A few species contain the heart toxin thalictrine. (Kershaw)
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
2012-12-09
