Thalictrum flavum L.
Common Meadow-rue
Common Meadow-rue is a tall, graceful native perennial of damp and wet ground, found locally in wet meadows, fens, marshes and along rivers, streams and ditches across much of Britain. Spreading by rhizomes, it produces upright stems that can reach well over a metre, clothed in attractive, divided, blue-green leaves that recall those of a columbine.
About
Common Meadow-rue is a tall, graceful native perennial of damp and wet ground, found locally in wet meadows, fens, marshes and along rivers, streams and ditches across much of Britain. Spreading by rhizomes, it produces upright stems that can reach well over a metre, clothed in attractive, divided, blue-green leaves that recall those of a columbine. In summer the stems are topped by fluffy, rounded clusters of soft lemon-yellow flowers, whose airy appearance comes not from petals but from a haze of fine, prominent stamens; the flowers carry a light fragrance.
It favours moist to wet, fertile, base-rich and often calcareous soils in sun or light shade, and makes an elegant, see-through vertical accent for pond margins, bog gardens, damp borders and wet meadow plantings. The pollen-rich flowers attract bees and other insects in midsummer. Its height and tolerance of seasonally wet conditions make it a valuable structural plant in naturalistic wetland and meadow schemes.
Also known as
yellow meadow-rue
Synonyms
Thalictrum altissimum · Thalictrum angustifolium flavum · Thalictrum angustifolium mediterraneum · Thalictrum angustifolium morisonii · Thalictrum angustifolium variifolium · Thalictrum araricum · Thalictrum belgicum · Thalictrum capitatum · Thalictrum controversum flavum · Thalictrum exaltatum mediterraneum
Beta — under active development. This catalogue is still being built and accuracy-checked. The information here (including plant identifications, British native status, soil and sun/shade preferences) is provided in good faith for general guidance only and may contain errors or omissions. It must not be relied upon on its own — please confirm details with us before making planting, specification, foraging or purchasing decisions, and never eat or medicinally use any plant based on this catalogue alone, as some species are toxic. To the extent permitted by law, Phoenix Amenity Supplies accepts no liability for any loss arising from use of this information.