Attractive adornment.
In the absence of vibrant colors, today my eyes became attuned to the subtle variations of green. I came across this delicate spray of lighter green peeking out from among the other ordinary greens trying to establish themselves for the season. Early meadow rue, thalictrum dioicum, is one of the earliest wildflowers to emerge on the woodland scene.
Perhaps I noticed it because of its dainty, fern-like appearance. The slender leaf stalk is branched four times into three divisions, so that it bears in all eighty-one three-lobed leaflets. Pretty.
"The meadow rue has shaken out veil upon floating veil in the woodlands.”
From “Minstrel Weather” by Marian Storm
Early meadow rue will flower before the deciduous trees leaf out and then be happy in dappled light and shade. It keeps good form all season and provides an attractive garnish for all the other perennials that will bloom later.
According to the United States National Herbarium, early meadow rue has no known medicinal properties. No literature exists describing its use by Native Americans, pioneers, or other early people for medical purposes. Just pretty.
Comentarios