Early Meadow-Rue
(Thalictrum dioicum)
Early Meadow-Rue (Thalictrum dioicum)
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Joshua Mayer
CC BY-SA 2.0
Image By:
Joshua Mayer
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Copyright:
CC BY-SA 2.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Joshua Mayer | License Type: CC BY-SA 2.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ | Uploader: wackybadger | Publisher: Flickr |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Thalictrum dioicum, commonly known as Early Meadow-Rue, is a deciduous perennial herb native to rich, deciduous woodlands and forest edges in the Eastern United States. It typically grows from 30 to 80 cm tall, emerging from an upright caudex with yellow-gold colored, thick fibrous roots. The plant’s distinctive flowers lack true petals but feature greenish sepals, sometimes tinged with purple, measuring 1.8–4 mm long. Following pollination, female plants produce tight clusters of green achenes, each fertilized flower yielding (3-)7 to 13 achenes that are sessile or nearly so. Early Meadow-Rue is dioecious, with male and female flowers on separate plants. The male flowers are more conspicuous, appearing in early spring as club-like clusters with the foliage emerging from the ground, while the basal leaves unfold. Flowering occurs before the compound leaves are fully developed, with males initially taller than females, though females may surpass them as fruit develops.
Early Meadow-Rue is valued for its delicate, lacy foliage, which resembles that of columbines or maidenhair ferns, and for its early spring blooms. It is a charming addition to shade gardens, woodland plantings, and naturalized areas. This species thrives in partial shade to full shade, requiring medium moisture and well-drained soils with rich organic matter. While it is not a demanding plant, it benefits from a layer of mulch to maintain soil moisture and temperature. Early Meadow-Rue is not commonly associated with serious diseases or pests, but it may require staking in very rich soils or if exposed to strong winds. It is not known for aggressive roots or invasiveness.CC BY-SA 4.0
Early Meadow-Rue is valued for its delicate, lacy foliage, which resembles that of columbines or maidenhair ferns, and for its early spring blooms. It is a charming addition to shade gardens, woodland plantings, and naturalized areas. This species thrives in partial shade to full shade, requiring medium moisture and well-drained soils with rich organic matter. While it is not a demanding plant, it benefits from a layer of mulch to maintain soil moisture and temperature. Early Meadow-Rue is not commonly associated with serious diseases or pests, but it may require staking in very rich soils or if exposed to strong winds. It is not known for aggressive roots or invasiveness.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 1-2 feet
- Width: 1-2 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Cream, Green, White
- Flowering Season: Spring
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Medium
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant
Natural Habitat
Rich, deciduous woodlands and forest edges in the Eastern United States
Other Names
Common Names: Quicksilver-Weed , Early Meadow Rue , Early Meadowrue , Vårruta
Scientific Names: Thalictrum dioicum , Thalictrum purpurascens , Thalictrum dioicum var. langfordii , Thalictrum dioicum var. adiantinum , Thalictrum labradoricum , Thalictrum pauciflorum , Leucocoma dioica , Thalictrum dioicum var. huronense , Thalictrum dioicum var. oxycarpum , Thalictrum heterophyllum
GBIF Accepted Name: Thalictrum dioicum L.