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Bloodworth, Stefan
Enemion biternatum
Enemion biternatum Raf.
Eastern False Rue Anemone, Isopyrum
Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family)
Synonym(s): Isopyrum biternatum
USDA Symbol: ENBI
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
Open, many-stemmed perennial, 8-16 in. height. Loose clusters of white flowers with five petal-like sepals are borne on slender stems from leaf axils. White, anemone-like flowers in small clusters at ends of stems or on stalks rising in axils of alternate leaves. Leaves are divided into three segments and then into three leaflets. Grows in large patches.
This small, herbaceous perennial, long known as Isopyrum biternatum, grows from thick, tuberous, fibrous roots. It may be confused with Rue Anemone (Thalictrum thalictroides), which has opposite or whorled stem leaves just below the flowers, 5-10 petal-like sepals, and fruit with one seed.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Root Type: Fibrous
Fruit Type: Follicle
Size Notes: Usually 5 to 6 inches high, but can reach 16 inches.
Leaf: Yellowish green.
Flower: Flowers 3/4 inch across.
Fruit: Quarter inch.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , PinkBloom Time: Jan , Feb , Mar , Apr , May
Bloom Notes: Usually white, occasionally tinged pinkish. Usually blooms for a month starting in late March to early April, sometimes starts in winter and continues blooming through early spring.
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , FL , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NY , OH , OK , SC , SD , TN , VA , WI , WVCanada: ON
Native Distribution: S. Ont. to MN, s. to n.w. FL, AL, MO, & OK. Most of temperate eastern North America; Zones 5 to 8.
Native Habitat: Rich or calcereous woods & thickets; floodplain woods; limestone ledges.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: MediumLight Requirement: Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist , Wet
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
Soil Description: Rich, moist to mesic, acid soils. Tolerates lime.
Conditions Comments: Tolerates seasonal flooding.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Provides bright white bloooms in spring shade.Use Wildlife: Flowers attract bees.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Nectar Source: yes
Value to Beneficial Insects
Supports Conservation Biological ControlThis information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Propagation
Propagation Material: Root Division , SeedsCommercially Avail: yes
Maintenance: Most effective if planted in masses 5 to 6 feet in extent.
National Wetland Indicator Status
| Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
| Status: | FACW | FACU | FAC | FAC | FAC | UPL |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Longwood Gardens - Kennett Square, PA
Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE
Bibliography
Bibref 1620 - Gardening with Native Plants of the South (Reprint Edition) (2009) Wasowski, S. with A. WasowskiBibref 1294 - The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants An Illustrated Guide (2011) Adelman, Charlotte and Schwartz, Bernard L.
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 26 - Minnesota Wildflowers: a field guide to the flora of Minnesota (2009)
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Enemion biternatum in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Enemion biternatum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Enemion biternatum
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-05-04Research By: TWC Staff