Meadow-Rue

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Meadow-Rue
• Shining Meadow-rue

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Thalictrum lucidum var. angustissimum
• Thalictrum angustifolium var. stenophyllum
• Thalictrum corymbosum
• Thalictrum longifolium
• Thalictrum rosmarinifolium
• Thalictrum speciosum
• Thalictrum nigrescens
• Thalictrum nestleri
• Thalictrum planum
• Thalictrum peucedanifolium
• Thalictrum stenophyllum
• Thalictrum divaricatum
• Thalictrum galiiforme
• Thalictrum angustifolium
• Thalictrum ammophilum
• Thalictrum abbreviatum
• Thalictrum angustifolium var. dilatatum
• Thalictrum angustissimum
• Thalictrum trifidum
• Thalictrum bulgaricum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Thalictrum lucidum, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified within the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae, falling under the order Ranunculales. Ultimately, it is a member of the family Ranunculaceae and the genus Thalictrum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several distinct regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence is specifically noted within the borders of Finland. Moving southward, it is well-established throughout various parts of Middle Europe. This includes significant populations found in Austria, Germany, and Hungary. Furthermore, the species can also be identified across the Czechia-Slovakia region.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Thalictrum lucidum is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, ensuring its presence in its habitat over multiple growing seasons. As a hemicryptophyte, its perennating buds are located at the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or the upper layers of the substrate, which allows it to persist through unfavorable periods. The plant exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage annually in response to seasonal changes, which dictates its active growth phases and periods of dormancy.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Thalictrum lucidum is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb. This self-supporting plant typically exhibits a terrestrial habit and functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite or epiphyte. In terms of stature, it is a herbaceous species with a height that varies significantly, ranging from a minimum of 0.5 m to a maximum of 1.5 m, with an average plant height of approximately 0.675 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.5 m

Plant height mean:

0.675 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Thalictrum lucidum is characterized by a metabolic framework utilizing the C3 photosynthetic pathway, which is typical for most temperate woodland perennials. This C3 mechanism involves the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide by the enzyme RuBisCO during the Calvin cycle, occurring primarily within the mesophyll cells. Because this plant often inhabits shaded or semi-shaded forest environments, its physiological processes are optimized for efficient light harvesting under low-intensity conditions. The reliance on the C3 pathway means that its stomatal conductance and transpiration rates are closely regulated to balance carbon assimilation with water loss, a critical factor in maintaining turgor pressure within its delicate foliar structures. This metabolic strategy supports its seasonal growth patterns, allowing for rapid biomass accumulation during the favorable moisture and temperature periods of its natural habitat.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Thalictrum lucidum is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering period that begins in June and concludes in July. During this window, the plant utilizes an insect-based pollination syndrome to facilitate fertilization, although the capacity for self-fertilization is also present. The resulting seeds are notably minute, with a mean seed mass of approximately 0.0005835 g and a consistent mass range where both the minimum and maximum values are recorded at 4e-04 g. For the spreading of its progeny, the species employs an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on wind to transport its lightweight seeds to new locations.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Jul

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Seed mass max:

4e-04 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0005835 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Thalictrum lucidum has 18 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Columbamine, Deoxythalidastine, Homoaromoline, Jatrorrhizine, Magnoflorine.

Columbamine

1. Lloydia

Deoxythalidastine

1. Lloydia

Homoaromoline

1. Lloydia

Jatrorrhizine

1. Lloydia

Magnoflorine

1. Lloydia

O-Methyl thalicberine

1. Lloydia

O-Methylthalicberine

1. Lloydia

OBABERINE

1. Lloydia

Obamegine

1. Lloydia

Oxyacanthine

1. Lloydia

Activities

Thalictrum lucidum has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Hypotensive.

Antimicrobial

1. Lloydia

Hypotensive

1. Lloydia