Scientific Family
Ranunculaceae
Synonyms
Thalictrum amissum
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
2 to 5 feet
Riparian
Yes
Upright, delicate plant, male and female flowers are on separate plants. Flowers are small, clusters can be showy.
Leaves of 3-lobed leaflets, alternate, mostly without hairs beneath; flowers green to yellow, nodding; male and female flowers usually on different plants; sepals 4 per flower, light green; petals absent; male flowers dangling, yellow stamens.
Habitat
Pine and spruce-fir forests and meadows, also in wet areas among willows, birch, mountain brush, and boxelder cottonwood communities.
Plant Community
Riparian
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Low elevation
5000
High elevation
9500
Flower Characteristics
Flowers do not have petals. Sepals are white to green. Male and female flowers are found on separate plants. Male flowers have many yellowish-green stamens dangling from purplish, threadlike stalks. Female flowers are tiny, rounded clusters.
Flower color
White to green
Flower shape
Irregular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
April
Last bloom month
August
Flower clusters
Rounded
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Stalked, compound leaves are divided several times into rounded leaflets giving the plant a delicate fern-like appearance. Leaves are wider than long, up to 1-1/2 inches in length.
Leaf type
Compound
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Triangular
Leaf margin
Lobed
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
The fruit is a compressed, strongly nerved achene which contains a single seed.
Fruit type
Achene