• Delicate nodding flowers of Thalictrum occidentale (Western Meadowrue) dangle like tiny lanterns on fine, wiry stems above a dense backdrop of green foliage. The drooping purplish-brown and creamy white flowers are held in open clusters, giving the plant a lacy, airy appearance as it rises gracefully from the lush understory.
  • single slender stalk of Thalictrum occidentale (Western Meadowrue) rises above a dense patch of leafy groundcover. Its pale green leaves are rounded and lobed, while the nodding flower cluster at the top is just beginning to open, blending subtly into the rich greens of the forest floor.
  • Multiple stalks of Thalictrum occidentale (Western Meadowrue) emerge from a lush carpet of rounded, lacy foliage. The plants are scattered through the forest understory, their drooping clusters of brown and white flowers hanging delicately like tiny bells amidst the surrounding greenery.
  • A thriving colony of Thalictrum occidentale (Western Meadowrue) stretches across the forest floor, their feathery green leaves forming a soft, textured mat. Dozens of slender flowering stems rise above, each carrying clusters of dangling blossoms that sway gently in the filtered woodland light.
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Thalictrum occidentale - Western Meadowrue

Thalictrum occidentale - Western Meadowrue

$5.50 CAD
$5.50 CAD
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Western Meadowrue is a tall, delicate, moisture-loving perennial with finely divided, fern-like foliage that adds soft texture to shaded spaces. Blooming in late spring to early summer, this dioecious plant produces separate male and female flowers—males with showy, dangling stamens and females with subtle, seed-bearing blooms. It's seeds may be eaten by birds but it's not a major food source for them.

Thriving in cool, damp environments, Western Meadowrue provides light cover and seasonal interest in naturalized landscapes. Its lacy foliage and slender stems create unique texture and movement in woodland gardens, shaded borders, and as an understory plant. It is moderately deer-resistant due to its fine-textured, bitter foliage, though occasional browsing may occur.

How Easy Is This Plant to Grow?

Germination Difficulty: Experienced
Growing Difficulty: Beginner
Speed of Growth: Moderate/Slow
Age to First Bloom: 2-3

Plant Sizes & Blooming Window

Important Information - The "Plant Sizes" are provided as a general guideline for plant selection. The "Blooming Window" indicates the general period when the species is in bloom, not how long an individual plant will flower.

Plant growth and bloom times will vary depending on geographical location & individual site conditions. Please scroll down to see the specific information for this plant.

Edible & Medicinal Info Disclaimer

The Edible & Medicinal information on this site is for informational purposes only and should not be acted on without thorough research and professional guidance. We are not responsible for any adverse effects resulting from the use of or misidentification of plants.

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Plant Specifics

Seeds Per Pack

Seeds Per Package: 25

Light Conditions

  • Shade
  • Part Shade

Soil Conditions

  • Moist
  • Rich
  • Loam
  • Well Drained
  • Gravelly

Height

  • 12" - 24"
  • 24" - 36"

Width

  • Spreading

Bloom Colour

  • Purple

Month of Bloom

  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August

Vigorousness

  • Fast
  • Aggressive

Deer Resistance

  • Moderate

Features

  • Birds
  • Fall Color
  • Urban Spaces
  • Rural Spaces

Chinook Exposure

  • Moderate

Distribution Info

​Native to western North America, Western Meadowrue is found from BC, to MB, and extending southward into the western U.S.. It typically inhabits moist meadows, streambanks, and forest understories.

Traditional Edible & Medicinal Info

Thalictrum occidentale has no well documented edible or medicinal uses.