Meadow Rue
Thalictrum fendleri
Meadow Rue is a tall perennial herb with a wide, stretching canopy of leaves. The leaves emerge from thick, smooth stems, which are green to purple in color and can reach 1–2 meters (3.3–6.6 ft) tall. The numerous pale green-grey leaves are small and three-lobed, stemming from slender branches attached to the multiple stems. The plant has tiny, dense clusters of greenish-yellow petal-less flowers.
Basic Information
Member of the Ranunculaceae (buttercup) family
Though this a buttercup, it looks nothing like a traditional buttercup
Perennial herb
In drier or warmer areas, the plant may become summer deciduous, dying back in the summer and returning when there is more rain
Thalictrum fendleri has three subspecies:
Thilactrum fendleri var. fendleri, which is found in AZ, CA, CO, ID, NM, NV, OR, TX, UT, WY
Thilactrum fendleri var. wrighti, which is found in AZ, NM, TX
Thilactrum fendleri var. polycarpum, which is found in CA, NV, OR, UT
Habitat
Native to western North American, including most of the western United States and northern Mexico
In California, this plant is found in many locations, including the Bay Area, central coast, Coast Ranges, Sierras, and coastal Southern California
Found primarily in shady areas, such as woodlands and forests
Ecological Role
The Keres used the tribe as a cold remedy
The Navajo used this plant in a number of ceremonies
Used to make tea to drink and bathe as part of a ceremonial war dance
Ceremonial medicine
The Shoshone tribe used a decoction of root to treat gonorrhea
The Washo made a decoction of root to remedy colds
The Wailaki Crushed the stem and leaf juice to use as a wash for headaches
Reproduction
The species is usually dioecious, with male and female flowers occurring on separate plants, but plants with monoecious flowers have been noted
This plant is pollinated via wind (otherwise known as anemophilous)
Alternative Names
Fendler's Meadowrue
Additional Information
There is debate as to whether this plant is toxic
The Kawaiisu actually used the root as a poison, as it caused death when eaten by cows and horses, and the Mendocino considered it poisonous
