Thalictrum minus
| Thalictrum minus | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 6 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 5' |
| Width: | 3' |
| Blooms: | Early Summer-Late Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Thalictrum minus (common name: lesser meadow rue)
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[1]. Plant them into their permanent positions the following spring.
Division in spring as new growth commences or in the autumn[1]. 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.
Cultivation: Succeeds in most fairly good humus rich well-drained soils in sun or semi-shade[2][1]. Plants can be invasive when grown in light soils but do not spread so much in heavy soils[3].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[4].
A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[5].
A highly polymorphic species, difficult to treat taxonomically[6]. 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[4].
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
Edibility: Young leaves - cooked[7][8]. 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[9].
Usage: Plants can be grown as a ground cover when planted about 60cm apart each way[3].
Pollinators: Insects, wind
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Seed Ripens: Mid Summer-Early Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
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.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Sanders, Thomas. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge, 1926.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Thomas, Graham. Plants for Ground Cover. Everyman, 1990.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ Hatfield, Audrey. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd, 1974.
- ↑ Clapham, Arthur and Tom Tootin, Edmund Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press, 1962.
- ↑ Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ Chopra, R. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, 1986.