Lesser Meadow-Rue

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Lesser Meadow-Rue

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Thalictrum minus subsp. montanum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, placing it within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified under the order Ranunculales and the family Ranunculaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic designation is within the genus Thalictrum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical presence across several regions in Northern Europe. It can be found growing within the borders of Denmark. Additionally, its distribution extends to the northern territories of Finland and Norway. The species is also documented throughout Great Britain. Finally, its range includes the coastal landscapes of Ireland.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Thalictrum minus is characterized by its presence in diverse transitional landscapes, including forest edges, meadows, shrubberies, and steppe environments. This species demonstrates a significant altitudinal adaptability, thriving across a broad vertical gradient that spans from lower elevations to high-altitude regions. Its elevational range begins at a minimum of 600 m AMSL and extends to a maximum of 2800 m AMSL, with a mean elevation of approximately 2050 m AMSL, indicating a strong preference for mid-to-high altitude montane or subalpine ecological niches.

Elevational range max:

2800 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

2050 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

600 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest edges, meadows, shrubberies, steppe

Genetics

The genetics of Thalictrum minus are characterized by a fundamental chromosomal structure where the haploid number is represented as n, serving as the base unit for its genomic complexity. As a member of the Ranunculaceae family, the species exhibits a genetic framework that supports its specific morphological development and secondary metabolite production. The ploidy level provides the basis for its reproductive stability and evolutionary divergence within the Thalictrum genus, dictating the inheritance patterns of its physiological traits. This genetic foundation governs the intricate biochemical pathways necessary for the synthesis of its medicinal compounds, ensuring the consistent expression of phenotypic characteristics across generations.

Ploidy :

n

Life history

The life history of Thalictrum minus is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. Functioning as a hemicryptophyte, its perennable buds are located at or just below the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or soil during unfavorable conditions. As a deciduous species, the plant undergoes a seasonal cycle where it sheds its foliage annually, entering a period of dormancy before emerging again in the following spring.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Thalictrum minus is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically classified as a forb. As a self-supporting plant, it does not function as a climber or a vine, and it grows as an independent organism rather than a parasite or an epiphyte. This terrestrial species exhibits a variable plant height, with individual specimens typically ranging from a minimum of 0.1 m to a maximum of 1.5 m, maintaining an average height of approximately 0.475 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.5 m

Plant height mean:

0.475 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Thalictrum minus is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, indicating a carbon fixation process typical of plants adapted to temperate environments without the specialized mechanisms of C4 or CAM metabolism. As a non-carnivorous species, it relies entirely on autotrophic nutrition through its foliage. The leaf morphology exhibits significant variability, with a mean leaf length of 1.1 cm (ranging from a minimum of 0.7 cm to a maximum of 1.5 cm) and a mean leaf width of 0.85 cm (ranging from a minimum of 0.4 cm to a maximum of 1.3 cm). These dimensions contribute to an average leaf size of approximately 119.34417 cm². Furthermore, the plant displays a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 167.33 cm²/g, reflecting its leaf mass per area and its physiological strategy for light interception and resource allocation.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

1.5 cm

Leaf length mean:

1.1 cm

Leaf length min:

0.7 cm

Leaf size mean:

119.34417 cm²

Leaf width max:

1.3 cm

Leaf width mean:

0.85 cm

Leaf width min:

0.4 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

167.33 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Thalictrum minus involves both sexual and asexual processes, with the sexual phase characterized by bisexual flowers. The flowering period typically begins in June and concludes in July. Pollination is primarily mediated by insects, specifically involving flies, which facilitates the reproductive cycle. Self-fertilization is present within the species, ensuring reproductive success. Following fertilization, the plant produces dry, indehiscent fruits classified as achenes. These fruits maintain a consistent length of approximately 0.35 cm. The resulting seeds are extremely minute, possessing a mean mass of 0.001511125 g (ranging from a minimum of 0.00032 g to a maximum of 0.00241 g) and a consistent seed volume of 1 mm³. Dispersal is achieved through an anemochorous syndrome, meaning the seeds are primarily dispersed by the wind.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Jul

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit length max:

0.35 cm

Fruit type :

achene

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

fly

Reproduction asexual :

present

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed mass max:

0.00241 g

Seed mass mean:

0.001511125 g

Seed mass min:

0.00032 g

Seed volume max:

1 mm³

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Thalictrum minus has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include berberine, 1,8-Cineole, CARVACROL, GAMMA-TERPINENE, Homoorientin.

berberine

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Plant cell reports

1,8-Cineole

1. Natural product research

CARVACROL

1. Natural product research

GAMMA-TERPINENE

1. Natural product research

Homoorientin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Para-cymene

1. Natural product research

THYMOL

1. Natural product research

Thalicoside F

1. Phytochemistry

Medicinal Uses

Thalictrum minus has 10 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Mycobacterium smegmatis, acute lung injury, bedsore, dysentery, fungal infection.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations