Western Meadow-Rue
Thalictrum occidentale
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Ranunculaceae
- Genus:
- Thalictrum
- Species:
- Thalictrum occidentale
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 4-6 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may, jun, jul
- Bloom Colors:
- Green, Brown
Native Range
United States: Alaska, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, Canada: Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Yukon
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★☆ Based on number of butterfly and moth species using this genus as host plant (Source: National Wildlife Federation)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- good drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
Germination Information
Pre-treatment: Seeds are treated with 500 ppm gibbereliic acid for 24 hrs and thoroughly rinsed with water following treatment. Seeds are placed in fine mesh bags and cold, moist stratified in moistened milled sphagnum peat moss for 90 days at 1 to 2 C in a refrigerator.
Establishment: Thalictrum is a dioecious genus and strongly rhizomatous. Female stands must be identified during flowering prior to seed collection. Seeds are black at maturity. Follicles are collected in early September when they turn tan and just begin to split open. The species is found from British Columbia to California east to Alberta and south to Utah.
Source: npn.rngr.net