Rue Anemone

by Joshua Heston

Neither a true anemone nor rue, this species is named for its resemblance to both.

To further confuse the issue, the False Rue Anemone (Isopyrum biternatum) is named for its resemblance to Anemonella thalictroides.

A spunky little plant, rue anemone can be found throughout the Ozarks, particularly in understory leaf litter near mountain streams.

Rue Anemone (Anemonella thalictroides)

Size: 2 to 8 inches tall; flowers 1/2 to 3/4 inch wide. What to look for: flowers, white, in 2’s or 3’s, surrounded by a whorl of leaflets atop wiry black stem; leaves from base very much divided. Habitat: rich woods. In bloom: April through May.

— page 343, Wernett, Susan J., et al. North American Wildlife. The Reader's Digest Association, Inc., 1986.