Thalictrum aquilegiifolium
a perennial member of the Thalictrum genus in the family Ranunculaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
- Genus
- Thalictrum
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Height
- 1 m
- Spread
- 0.45 m
- Fertility
- Insects, Wind
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Insects, Wind
Uses
Toxicity
Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The whole plant is poisonous, particularly the root[4].
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Root - raw or roasted[8][10][12]. Caution is advised, there is one report that suggests that the root is particularly poisonous[4]. Young leaves - cooked[2]. Caution is advised, they are possibly poisonous.
- Plant part
- Leaves
- Plant part
- Root
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Cytostatic[13].
- Product or use
- Cytostatic
Environment
- Range
- E. and C. Europe to Asia.
- Habitat
- Damp woods, hedges and rich upland meadows of the lower Alps, often in stony places near glaciers[4].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 6+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame[K]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. The seed can also be sown in an outdoor seedbed in spring[3]. Plant them into their permanent positions the following spring. Division in spring as new growth commences or in the autumn[3]. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is best to pot up smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until they are growing away well. Plant them out in the summer or the following spring.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Succeeds in most fairly good soils in sun or semi-shade[1][3]. Prefers a humus rich soil[3]. A very ornamental plant[1], it is hardy to about -25°c[5]. Grows well on a woodland edge[6]. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[11]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[9].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00
Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926-00-00
Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-600-33545-3
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9
Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Sholto-Douglas. J. Alternative Foods.
Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00
Hatfield. A. W. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-584-10141-4
Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202
Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394