Ethnobotany

1. * Fendler’s Meadowrue – Thalictrum fendleri var. polycarpum
(Thal-IK-trum FEND-ler-eye poly-CAR-pum )
Family: Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family)
Native to: Western N. America from Baja, NV/UT to OR. In forested areas including the Santa
Monica/San Gabriel Mtns; moist, open/shaded places in forests, along streams usually < 5000 ft.
Growth characteristics: herbaceous perennial mature height: 2-4 ft. mature width: 2-3 ft.
Drought-deciduous herbaceous perennial that dies back to the root in dry summer conditions.
Foliage primarily in basal rosette. Leaves bright green, much divided with rounded leaflets. Plant
looks fern- or columbine-like. Pretty and unusual. Plants do have a strange odor – smell before
you purchase. Note: stems and roots may be poisonous if eaten.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms in mid- to late spring – usually Aril-June in local gardens. Plants are
dioecious (separate male & female plants); male flowers are the showy ones, so most plants sold by
nurseries are male. Male flowers in clusters on drooping stalks – very unusual and showy (in a quiet
way). Flower color: green or white with pink-purple (see photo).
Uses in the garden: Most often used as a perennial for shady areas of the garden. Lovely addition
to the woodland garden, with native ferns, grasses, Heuchera. Fine under oaks and other large
trees. Should do fine in a large container or in a shady flower bed. Plant where you can enjoy the
unusual flowers (near seating; along a shady walkway). More showy when massed. Native
Californians used an infusion externally for pain.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native perennials.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Part-shade to quite shady in our area.
Soil Any texture – sandy to clay; any local pH.
Water Needs moist soil until after flowering; then does fine at Water Zone 2 or 1-2 (very
occasional summer water)
Fertilizer Loves a leaf litter mulch; would accept low doses of fertilizer.
Other Leaf or other organic mulch.
Management: Prune out dead foliage in late summer after seeds have spread.
Propagation: from seed: fresh seed – no pre-treatment by divisions: in spring
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 3, 5, 8, 10-14, 19, 20, 25 4/29/13
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