Kingdom Plantae Family Ranunculaceae Scientific name Thalictrum sparsiflorum | Order Ranunculales Genus Thalictrum Rank Species | |
Similar Thalictrum occidentale, Thalictrum alpinum, Thalictrum cooleyi, Thalictrum fendleri | ||
Thalictrum sparsiflorum is a species of flowering plant in the buttercup family known by the common name fewflower meadow-rue. It is native to northwestern North America and parts of northeastern Asia. It grows in moist habitat, such as streambanks and forest understory. It is a perennial herb producing erect stems up to about a meter in maximum height. The leaves have compound blades divided into a few or many segments which are borne on long, slender petioles. The blades are usually finely hairy and glandular. The inflorescence is a leafy panicle of flowers. Unlike some other Thalictrum species which are dioecious, this species has bisexual flowers. Each has a calyx of five greenish sepals, and up to 20 light-colored dangling stamens tipped with large anthers. The flowers develop into compressed, beaked fruits.