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Glase, Terry

Thalictrum occidentale

Thalictrum occidentale A. Gray

Western Meadow-rue

Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: thoc

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N)

Thalictrum occidentale has branched stems with highly divided, soft, thin leaves and open branched clusters of greenish-brown flowers. The similar Fendler's Meadow-rue (T. fendleri) has laterally flattened fruit and occurs from Oregon and Wyoming south to California, Texas, and northern Mexico.

The common name Meadow-rue is given to Thalictrum species because of their resemblance to European rues (Ruta), which are grown for their aromatic and medicinal properties.

From the Image Gallery

3 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Achene
Size Notes: Up to about 4 feet tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Green , Purple
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug
Bloom Notes: Sepals whitish or greenish, sometimes purplish tinged, prominent filaments purplish.

Distribution

USA: AK , CA , ID , MT , NV , OR , WA , WY
Canada: AB , BC , SK
Native Distribution: British Columbia south to northern California and east to Montana, Wyoming, and Utah.
Native Habitat: Moist ground, often in shady woods.

Find Seed or Plants

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:		FACU	FACU							FACU

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

Web Reference

Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) Calflora
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Thalictrum occidentale in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Thalictrum occidentale in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Thalictrum occidentale

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-05-04
Research By: TWC Staff

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