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Common Name: Meadowrue

General Information

Thalictrum polycarpum is a perennial plant that can grow up to 1.80 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a 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

South-western N. America - Oregon to California, Utah and Mexico..

Habitat

Mixed evergreen and oak forests, mainly below 750 metres in California[]. Streamsides and other moist places, forests, and open woodlands at elevations of 600 - 3100 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	1.80 m
Pollinators	Insects, wind
Cultivation Status	Wild

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[, ].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[].
A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The crushed stem and leaf juice has been used as a wash in the treatment of headaches[].
A poultice of the pounded plant has been applied to sprains[].

Other Uses

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

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.