Definition

Noun: 1. A delicate woodland flower: A small, herbaceous, perennial flowering plant (Thalictrum thalictroides, formerly Anemonella thalictroides) native to the deciduous forests of eastern North America. 2. A spring ephemeral: It produces white or pinkish, cup-shaped blossoms in early spring, before the forest canopy fully develops. The flowers resemble those of true anemones but are generally considered more delicate in appearance.

Examples

• The forest floor was carpeted with rue anemone and other spring wildflowers.
• Botanists study the rue anemone to understand early spring woodland ecosystems.
• Its delicate, white petals make the rue anemone a favorite among native plant gardeners.

Advanced Usage

• The name "rue anemone" is somewhat misleading, as the plant is not a true anemone nor is it closely related to the herb rue (). Its foliage resembles that of meadow rue (), hence the first part of its common name.
• In botanical writing, it is often discussed as a classic example of a spring ephemeral, a plant that completes its life cycle quickly in the brief window of sunlight available on the forest floor before the trees leaf out.

Variants and Related Words

• Windflower: A common name for plants in the genus, which the rue anemone resembles.
• Spring ephemeral: The ecological category to which this plant belongs.
• Thalictrum thalictroides: The current scientific name.
• Anemonella thalictroides: A former scientific name still encountered in older texts.

Synonyms

• Woodland flower
• Spring wildflower
• (Scientific)

Related Phrases & Terms

• In bloom: The rue anemone is in bloom for only a short period in April or May.
• Native to: The rue anemone is native to regions from Minnesota to Maine and south to Florida and Texas.

Noun

1. woodland flower native to eastern North America having cup-shaped flowers reminiscent of anemone but more delicate