meadow rue

meadow rue, any plant of the genus Thalictrum of the family Ranunculaceae (buttercup family). Most are tall perennials (up to 7 ft/2.1 m high) bearing summer flowers with showy, pendent tassels of long stamens, greenish sepals, and no petals. Meadow rues are found in moist, open places throughout northern temperate regions; in the United States they are especially abundant in the Northeast. A few species are cultivated for ornament. The European herb called rue is an unrelated plant. Meadow rue is classified in the division Magnoliophyta, class Magnoliopsida, order Ranunculales, family Ranunculaceae.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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