Thalictrum minus aka Lesser Meadow Rue

Thalictrum minus, or lesser meadow rue, is a perennial in the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae. Its native range spans Europe and temperate parts of Asia. It is native to Britain and Ireland. Wild plants grow on dry limestone slopes and rocky ledges. Other sites include scree, shingle, banks, and old chalk quarries. These habitats contrast with the moist soil advised for garden plants.

This variable plant forms leafy clumps and loses its leaves in winter. RHS lists a garden height of 1.6–3.3 feet [0.5–1 metre]. Its size table gives a spread of 0.3–1.6 feet [0.1–0.5 metres]. However, its description allows clumps nearly 3 feet [0.9 metres] across. Plants take two to five years to reach full size. The small leaves are 3- to 4-pinnate, with rounded lobes. Fine, wiry stems lift the flowers clear of the leaves. The tiny blooms hang in nodding groups above the clump. They may look green, yellow, or flushed with purple.

In gardens, give it moist soil rich in humus. Partial shade suits it, though sun works if soil stays moist. RHS lists chalk, clay, and loam as suitable soils. It accepts acid, neutral, and alkaline ground. It can grow in moist, well-drained soil or poorly drained sites. A sheltered spot matches the RHS guidance for this species. Its H7 rating indicates hardiness in Europe's most severe continental cold. This rating covers winter lows below −4°F [−20°C].

Use it in informal beds, cottage gardens, or wildflower meadows. RHS also lists coastal gardens among suitable settings. PFAF suggests woodland edges, dappled shade, and ground-cover planting. For ground cover, it gives spacing near 2 feet [0.6 metres]. Grow new plants from seed or divide established clumps. Cut the stems back when the flowers have finished. Pests and diseases cause few problems, according to RHS. Powdery mildew may develop when conditions become dry.

PFAF records cooked young leaves as an edible part. It gives the plant a low food-use rating. Yet it advises caution because many buttercup relatives are poisonous. It reports no specific records of poisoning for this species. That lack of records does not establish that eating it is safe. PFAF also records leaf and root preparations used for fevers. This describes a reported use, not proof of benefit or safety.