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Lesser Meadow-rue

Thalictrum minus

Please keep in mind that it is illegal to uproot a plant without the landowner's consent and care should be taken at all times not to damage wild plants. Wild plants should never be picked for pleasure and some plants are protected by law.
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Plant Profile
Similar Species
Other Information
Distribution Map

Flowering Months:

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Order:

Ranunculales

Family:

Ranunculaceae (Buttercup)

Also in this family:

Adderstongue Spearwort, Alpine Meadow-rue, Balkan Anemone, Baneberry, Blue Anemone, Brackish Water Crowfoot, Bulbous Buttercup, Celery-leaved Buttercup, Chalk-stream Water Crowfoot, Columbine, Common Meadow-rue, Common Water Crowfoot, Corn Buttercup, Creeping Buttercup, Creeping Spearwort, Fan-leaved Water Crowfoot, Globeflower, Goldilocks Buttercup, Grape-leaf Anemone, Greater Spearwort, Green Hellebore, Hairy Buttercup, Hybrid Monkshood, Hybrid Spearwort, Hybrid Water Crowfoot, Ivy-leaved Crowfoot, Larkspur, Lesser Celandine, Lesser Spearwort, Love-in-a-Mist, Marsh Marigold, Meadow Buttercup, Monkshood, Mountain Clematis, Mousetail, New Forest Crowfoot, Oriental Hellebore, Pasque Flower, Pheasant's Eye, Pond Water Crowfoot, River Water Crowfoot, Rough-fruited Buttercup, Round-leaved Crowfoot, Small-flowered Buttercup, St. Martin's Buttercup, Stinking Hellebore, Thread-leaved Water Crowfoot, Three-lobed Crowfoot, Traveller's Joy, Virgin's Bower, Winter Aconite, Wolfsbane, Wood Anemone, Yellow Anemone

Type:

Flower

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Maximum Size:

60 centimetres tall

Habitats:

Cliffs, gardens, grassland, hedgerows, meadows, mountains, riversides, roadsides, rocky places, sand dunes, scrub, seaside.

Flower:

Yellow, no petals

Clusters of tiny, pale yellow, nodding flowers, sometimes tinged purple. Long yellow stamens, about 3mm long. 4 or 5, yellowish-green sepals. Insect and wind pollinated.

Fruit:

The fruit of Lesser Meadow Rue is typically a small, inconspicuous achene or seed-like structure, often not notable for its fragrance. Unlike the flowers, which may emit a delicate scent, the fruit of Lesser Meadow Rue is generally more focused on reproductive functions, lacking the distinctive fragrance associated with some flowering plants.

Leaves:

Green, smooth and hairless foliage. 3 to 4-pinnate leaves. The majority of leaflets are at least as long as broad. The leaves are arranged alternately along both sides of the stems. The erect stems are zigzagged or wiry in nature. A clump-forming, very variable perennial.

Aroma:

The fragrance of Lesser Meadow Rue is delicately sweet and possesses a subtle, enchanting aroma reminiscent of a meadow in full bloom. The scent is soft and graceful, with floral notes that evoke a sense of tranquility and natural beauty.

Other Names:

Dwarf Meadow-rue, Low Meadow Rue.

Frequency (UK):

Occasionally seen

Common Meadow-rue

Summary

Thalictrum minus, also known as lesser meadow-rue or dwarf meadow-rue, is a species of perennial flowering plant in the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae). It is native to North America and Europe. It typically grows to a height of 30-60 cm (12-24 inches) and has small, white or pinkish flowers that bloom in the spring and early summer. The leaves of the plant are fern-like and feathery in appearance. It prefers moist, well-drained soils and partial shade to full sun. It is often used in gardens and meadows as an ornamental plant. It can be propagated by dividing the rhizomes or by seed.

Blog

Lesser Meadow-rue (Thalictrum minus) is a herbaceous perennial plant that belongs to the family Ranunculaceae. It is a delicate and graceful wildflower that is native to Europe and Asia, and can be found in moist meadows, woodlands, and along streams and riverbanks. The plant grows up to 60 cm in height and blooms from late spring to mid-summer, producing an abundance of small, light purple flowers.

The leaves of Lesser Meadow-rue are deeply divided and arranged alternately along the stem. The leaflets are finely toothed and can vary in shape from oval to triangular. The stem is erect and slender, and the plant forms clumps as it spreads by underground rhizomes.

One of the most striking features of Lesser Meadow-rue is its flowers. The flowers are small, measuring about 5-7 mm in diameter, and are arranged in dense clusters at the top of the stem. The petals are pale lilac or violet, and the sepals are a darker shade of purple. The flowers have no petals or nectar, but are pollinated by bees and other insects that are attracted to the bright color and sweet fragrance.

Lesser Meadow-rue has a long history of medicinal use. The plant contains alkaloids, tannins, and flavonoids, which have been found to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The plant has been used to treat a variety of ailments, including fever, headaches, and digestive disorders. However, it is important to note that the plant can be toxic if ingested in large quantities, and should only be used under the guidance of a qualified herbalist or healthcare professional.

Lesser Meadow-rue is also a valuable plant for wildlife. The flowers provide a source of nectar for bees and other pollinators, while the leaves and stems are an important food source for a variety of insects, including butterflies and moths. The plant also provides cover and shelter for small animals and birds.

In conclusion, Lesser Meadow-rue is a beautiful and valuable wildflower that has many uses and benefits. Its delicate appearance and sweet fragrance make it a popular garden plant, while its medicinal and wildlife benefits make it an important part of the natural landscape. Whether you are a gardener, a herbalist, or a nature lover, Lesser Meadow-rue is a plant that is well worth getting to know.

Some Additional Information about Lesser Meadow-rue

Let's explore some additional information about Lesser Meadow-rue:

Habitat: Lesser Meadow-rue is native to Europe and Asia, but has been introduced to other parts of the world, including North America. It prefers moist soils and can be found in meadows, woodlands, and along streams and riverbanks. It grows best in partial shade, but can tolerate full sun in cooler climates.
Cultivation: Lesser Meadow-rue is a popular garden plant due to its delicate appearance and attractive flowers. It is relatively easy to grow, but does best in moist, well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. It can be propagated by seed or by division of the rhizomes in the spring or fall.
Wildlife benefits: As mentioned earlier, Lesser Meadow-rue is an important source of nectar for bees and other pollinators. The leaves and stems are also an important food source for a variety of insects, including caterpillars of several moth species. The plant provides cover and shelter for small animals and birds, making it an important part of the ecosystem.
Medicinal uses: The medicinal properties of Lesser Meadow-rue have been recognized for centuries. The plant has been used to treat a variety of ailments, including fever, headache, arthritis, and digestive disorders. It is also believed to have diuretic properties and has been used to promote urinary tract health. However, as mentioned earlier, it is important to use the plant under the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional.
Cultural significance: In traditional European folklore, Lesser Meadow-rue was believed to have magical properties and was used in various rituals and spells. It was also used in love charms and was thought to bring luck and prosperity. Today, the plant is still used in some traditional medicine practices and is also used in herbal teas and other natural remedies.

In summary, Lesser Meadow-rue is a versatile and valuable plant with many uses and benefits. From its delicate appearance and attractive flowers to its medicinal and wildlife benefits, this wildflower is a true treasure of the natural world. Whether you are a gardener, a nature enthusiast, or someone interested in traditional medicine, Lesser Meadow-rue is a plant worth exploring further.

Some Facts about Lesser Meadow-rue

Here is a list of facts about Lesser Meadow-rue:

Lesser Meadow-rue (Thalictrum minus) is a herbaceous perennial plant that belongs to the family Ranunculaceae.
It is native to Europe and Asia and can be found in moist meadows, woodlands, and along streams and riverbanks.
The plant grows up to 60 cm in height and blooms from late spring to mid-summer, producing small, light purple flowers.
The leaves are deeply divided and arranged alternately along the stem, and the stem is erect and slender.
The plant spreads by underground rhizomes and forms clumps.
The flowers have no petals or nectar but are pollinated by bees and other insects that are attracted to the bright color and sweet fragrance.
Lesser Meadow-rue has been used medicinally for centuries and contains alkaloids, tannins, and flavonoids.
It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and has been used to treat fever, headaches, and digestive disorders.
The plant is also a valuable source of nectar for bees and other pollinators and provides food and shelter for a variety of insects, birds, and small animals.
Lesser Meadow-rue is easy to grow and is popular in gardens due to its delicate appearance and attractive flowers.

And here's a summary:

Lesser Meadow-rue is a herbaceous perennial plant native to Europe and Asia that can be found in moist meadows, woodlands, and along streams and riverbanks. It grows up to 60 cm in height, produces small, light purple flowers, and has deeply divided leaves arranged alternately along the stem. The plant spreads by underground rhizomes and has been used medicinally for centuries due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It is also a valuable source of nectar for bees and other pollinators and provides food and shelter for a variety of insects, birds, and small animals. Lesser Meadow-rue is easy to grow and is popular in gardens due to its delicate appearance and attractive flowers.