Thalictrum amphibolum Greene

Waxy Leaf Meadow Rue; Skunk Meadow Rue

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Waxy Leaf Meadow Rue is a native herbaceous perennial in the Buttercup family (Ranunculaceae). It can be found in the northern 2/3’s of Alabama. Waxy Leaf Meadow Rue grows along streams and rivers, in floodplain forests, and in low woods. It is a perennial with a thick tap root and short rhizomes. The stems are 3-7 feet in height, green or purplish in color, and often glaucous. The leaves are basal and cauline. The leaves are alternate, petiolate, and ternately compound. The upper leaves are reduced in size and sessile. Leaflets are ovate to orbicular in outline, 3 lobed, slightly revolute, and stipitate glandular and glaucous beneath. The foliage has a skunk-like odor when crushed. Waxy Leaf Meadow Rue is dioecious. Flowers are produced in terminal and axillary panicles at the top of the plant. The individual flowers hang downwards on slender stalks. Staminate flowers have 3-5 greenish white sepals and no petals. The stamens have long white filaments and light yellow anthers. Pistillate flowers have 4-5 greenish white sepals and no petals. There are 6-20 carpels with white stigmas. The fruit is a stipitate glandular achene. Waxy Leaf Meadow Rue is sometimes available from native plant nurseries. It prefers a slightly moist soil and partial sun.--A. Diamond

Thalictrum revolutum DC., an illegitimate name, has long been misapplied to this taxon. All specimens listed below identified as T. revolutum should be reevaluated and assigned to the appropriate taxon.

Native G5 (Global Rank)

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