Thalictrum polycarpum - Meadowrue

Family:	Ranunculaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1.8
Synonyms:
Range:	South-western N. America.

Thalictrum polycarpum (Meadowrue) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1.8m . It has a hardness rating of 0.
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Insects, wind

Soil Information

Meadowrue will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is / is important for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Meadowrue prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Meadowrue can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Mixed evergreen and oak forests, mainly below 750m in California[71].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Grows on a sunny edge
• Works within dappled Shade
• Grows in a shady edge

Cultivation Details

We have almost no information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in many parts of the country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in most fairly good soils in sun or semi-shade[1, 111]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233]. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[54].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 0/5
None known

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 1/5
The crushed stem and leaf juice has been used as a wash in the treatment of headaches[257]. A poultice of the pounded plant has been applied to sprains[257].

• Analgesic - Relieves pain.
• Poultice - A moist, usually warm or hot, mass of plant material applied to the skin in the treatment of burns etc.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame[K]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. The seed can also be sown in an outdoor seedbed in spring[111]. Plant them into their permanent positions the following spring. Division in spring as new growth commences or in the autumn[111]. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is best to pot up smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until they are growing away well. Plant them out in the summer or the following spring.

Known Hazards

Although no records of toxicity have been found for this plant, it belongs to a family that includes many poisonous plants so some caution is advised.

Other Uses

A bright yellow dye is obtained from the whole plant[168].

• Dye - Plants that provide dyes.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

A California Flora.
Munz.
Author: Munz.
Rating:
Publisher : An excellent flora but no pictures. Not for the casual reader.
Date of Publication : 1959

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