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Common Name: Lesser Meadow Rue

General Information

Thalictrum minus is a perennial plant that can grow up to 1.50 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.

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.

Botanical References

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Range

Most of Europe, including Britain.

Habitat

Dry limestone slopes, limestone rocks, cliff ledges, scree, shingle, chalk quarries, banks etc. Ssp arenarium grows on open or closed dunes, ssp majus in damp shady places chiefly by streams and lakes

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	1.50 m
Pollinators	Insects, wind
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in most fairly good humus rich well-drained soils in sun or semi-shade[, ]. Plants can be invasive when grown in light soils but do not spread so much in heavy soils[].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[].
A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[].
A highly polymorphic species, difficult to treat taxonomically[]. Some forms are dwarf and usually make dense clumps in the garden, larger forms are more invasive, especially in light soils, and can be a nuisance[].

Edible Uses

Young leaves - cooked[, ]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Medicinal

An infusion of the leaves, or a decoction of the root, is used in the treatment of fevers[].

Other Uses

Plants can be grown as a ground cover when planted about 60cm apart each way[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame[]. 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[]. Plant them into their permanent positions the following spring.
Division in spring as new growth commences or in the autumn[]. 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.