Thalictrum aquilegiifolium

Columbine Meadow Rue ( Thalictrum aquilegiifolium )

The Columbine Meadow Rue ( Thalictrum aquilegiifolium ), also called Amstel diamond, is a plant which belongs to the family Ranunculaceae ( Ranunculaceae ).

Description

The Columbine Meadow Rue is a perennial herbaceous plant that reaches the stature heights of up to 150 centimeters. The leaves are pinnate two -to three- fold and contain a yellow dye, which was used for dyeing wool. The leaves are very similar to those of columbine.

The compact, Rispige inflorescence contains many blue to light purple ( rarely white ) flowers. The stamens are arranged numerous and tufted in a ball. The stamens are conspicuously colored and take over instead of the bracts ( petals ) the function of the record system. This is unique in the local flora, but can be found for example, in the Mediterranean with myrtle, Australian eucalyptus and African Acacia trees. The stamens are thickened. The plant provides pollen instead of nectar and, through their shop apparatus pollination by insects. The flowering period extends from May to June.

The long -stalked fruit is smooth, without ridges, and winged triangular; it hangs in the course of fruit ripening.

The species is diploid and has 2n chromosome number = 14

Occurrence

In general, the Columbine Meadow Rue is widespread in the Alps and Pre-Alps, but their area ranges in Europe from northern Spain to southern Sweden and eastern Europe to East Asia. The species occurs in moist thickets and riparian forests up in subalpine tall herb communities in before and preferred nitrogen-rich alkaline soils. She's in some areas of the characteristic species Alnetum incanae (Association Alneto - Ulmion ).

In the Central German Uplands and the Alpine Columbine Meadow Rue is rare and is therefore one of the conservation loving plants.

Folk medicine

Formerly used as a medicinal herb against intermittent fever. Other common names of this species are Kaisertee, pectoral and lung herb.