 |
General Description: This is a delicate plant up to 20in (50cm) tall, arising from a thick, yellowish root. The leaves are compound, in arrangements of three, with lobed leaflets about 3/4 in (2cm) wide. The flowers are both axillary and terminal with 5 white sepals that look like petals. There are many stamens and 2-5 pistils that become pointed follicles (see fruiting photo on next page) that open along one line to release the seeds. The plant is often confused with wind flower, Thalictrum thalictroides, which also occurs in similar habitats. This latter plant however has leaflets whose lobes are more rounded and the flowers are always in terminal umbels, never axillary. Also the fruits of the wind flower are achenes which do not break open.
General Habitat: False rue anemone flowers and fruits from March to May in rich woods and alluvial soils. Currently it is known only from the Steven’s Creek Preserve east of the Thurmond Dam area. The look-a-like wind flowers are found in similar habitats and are fairly common in the Thurmond Dam area.
 |
  |
