Early Meadow-Rue

Early Meadow-Rue (Thalictrum dioicum) is in the buttercup family family (Ranunculaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,134 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.

Nationally it blooms mainly from April to May, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.

When to photograph Early Meadow-Rue: observations by month (U.S.)

About Early Meadow-Rue

Thalictrum dioicum, the early meadow-rue or quicksilver-weed, is a species of herbaceous plants in the family Ranunculaceae. Plants are typically upright growing woodland natives from Colorado Rocky Mountain forests to central and eastern North America including parts of south eastern Canada. This species has dioecious plants, with male and female flowers on separate plants blooming in early to mid spring.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.

Early Meadow-Rue by state

Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.

Related wildflowers (buttercup family)

Lesser CelandineFicaria verna

Red ColumbineAquilegia canadensis

Western ColumbineAquilegia formosa

Rue AnemoneThalictrum thalictroides

Marsh MarigoldCaltha palustris

Wood AnemoneAnemonoides quinquefolia

Blue ColumbineAquilegia coerulea

Tenpetal AnemoneAnemone berlandieri

Photography tips

• Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
• Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
• Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
• Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.

FAQ