Rue Anemone

(Thalictrum thalictroides)

 

   

 

Color Photograph: Copyright Nearctica.com, Inc.

Line Drawing: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada, Second Edition.

 

Rue Anemone (Thalictrum thalictroides (L.) Eames and Boivin)

Identification: Three to four large, white flowers per flowering stalk. Flowers with 6 (sometimes up to 10) petal-like sepals in a star pattern. Leaves usually with 3 leaflets and arranged in whorls about the stem. Plant small for the genus, 4 to 8 inches in height.

Distribution: Throughout most of eastern North America.

Habitat: Rue Anemone is found in a variety of wooded habitats.

Flowering period: March to May.

Similar Species: The small, whorled leaves, and the large, white flowers are distinctive for this species. Star-flower (Trientalis borealis, Primulaceae) is a little similar, but the leaves are elongate and the flower petals are sharply pointed.

Comments: Rue Anemone is a superficially different from other species of the genus Thalictrum and has been previously placed in the genus Anemonella.

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