Linnaeus named this genus in 1753.  "Thalictrum" is of ancient and unknown Greek origin.   In 1753 Linnaeus also named Thalictrum alpinum, shown immediately below.

Foothills, montane, subalpine. Woodlands, meadows. Spring.
Owens basin Trail, June 13, 2004.

Meadowrue is delicate, very common, and often unnoticed.  It grows to two or three feet tall and frequently appears in large dappled patches in forests and meadows.  The delicately scalloped leaves of Meadowrue are similar to Columbine’s leaves but are considerably smaller (see last picture below).  The leaves have a distinct pleasant smell when crushed.  

George Engelmann named this species in 1849, probably from a specimen collected by the renowned collector, Augustus Fendler, near Santa Fe in 1846.  (More biographical information about Fendler.)

Foothills, montane, subalpine. Woodlands, meadows. Spring.
Taylor Creek Trail, June 2, 2004.

Meadow Rue's leaves delicately unfold in swirls from a small orb.

Foothills, montane, subalpine. Woodlands, meadows. Spring.
Owens basin Trail, June 13, 2004.

Meadow Rue's male flowers lack petals and thus attract little attention, but a close look at the flowers reveals very unusual, attractive tassel-like stamens giving the plant a festive atmosphere.

Foothills, montane, subalpine. Woodlands, meadows. Spring.
Horse Creek Trail, June 27, 2006.

As stamens fade brown, they contrast with the white sepals.

Foothills, montane, subalpine. Woodlands, meadows. Spring.
Weminuche Wilderness Trail, June 23, 2007.
Little Taylor Creek Trail, July 28, 2005.

Meadowrue female flowers and seed pod.

Foothills, montane, subalpine. Woodlands, meadows. Spring.
Little Taylor Creek Trail, June 16, 2004 and Bridal Veil Falls Trail, July 23, 2009.

In the top photograph at left, the larger leaves to the right of center are those of Columbine; the smaller leaves at left are those of Meadowrue.  They are very similar and fool us often -- as the bottom photograph indicates.

Foothills, montane, subalpine. Woodlands, meadows. Spring.
Calico Trail, September 30, 2009.

Fall colors are typical of mountain flora: yellow, yellow, yellow.