Thalictrum minus

Thalictrum minus, known as lesser meadow-rue, is a perennial herb in the family Ranunculaceae that is native to Europe, Northwest Africa, Yemen, Ethiopia, South Africa, Southwest Asia, and Siberia. It grows on sand dunes, shingle, coastal rocks or calcareous grassland, cliffs and rocky gullies at up to 1,600 to 3,000 m (5,200 to 9,800 ft) elevation at southern latitudes. It grows to 30 cm (0.98 ft) tall with erect stems and 1 cm (0.39 in) leaves that are highly subdivided, 3-4 ternate to pinnate. The plant contains an alkaloid 'Thalidasine', which is also present in other Thalictrum species.

Description

An erect herb. It grows 0.9-1.5 m high and spreads 50-80 cm wide. The leaves are finely divided and have leaflets along the stalk. The flowers are yellow but sometimes with a purple tint. They are in panicles.

Edible Uses

Young leaves are edible when cooked. Some caution is advised — see notes on toxicity.

Traditional Uses

Young plants are eaten as a vegetable. They are boiled and eaten with yoghurt and cereals.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

An infusion of the leaves or a decoction of the root is used in the treatment of fevers.

Known Hazards

Although no records of toxicity have been found for this plant, it belongs to a family that includes many poisonous plants so some caution is advised.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It suits hardiness zones 6-9.

Where It Grows

Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, India, Ireland, Korea, Lesotho, Mongolia, Slovenia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Turkey, Türkiye,

Cultivation

Succeeds in most fairly good humus rich well-drained soils in sun or semi-shade. Plants can be invasive when grown in light soils but do not spread so much in heavy soils. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes. A highly polymorphic species, difficult to treat taxonomically. Some forms are dwarf and usually make dense clumps in the garden, larger forms are more invasive, especially in light soils, and can be a nuisance.

Propagation

Seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in autumn in a cold frame. Prick out seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle and plant out the following summer. Seed can also be sown in an outdoor seedbed in spring, with plants moved to permanent positions the following spring. Divide in spring as new growth begins or in autumn. Larger divisions can go directly to permanent positions; smaller ones are best potted up and grown on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until established, then planted out in summer or the following spring.

Other Uses

Plants can be used as ground cover when spaced approximately 60cm apart in each direction.

Notes

There are about 120 Thalictrum species.

Synonyms

Also Known As

Gaytaran, Lefokotsane, Mali talin, Pigamo minore

References (17)

• Ambasta, S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 632
• Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 975
• Cakir, E. A., 2017, Traditional knowledge of wild edible plants of Iğdır Province (East Anatolia, Turkey). Acta Soc Bot Pol. 2017;86(4):3568
• Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 1408
• Guillarmod, J., 1966, 1971, (As Thalictrum caffrum)

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