114 NATURAL HISTORY BULLETIN. 



Syndesmon thalictroides (L .) Hoffmg. Rue Anem- 

 one. 



A low glabrous perennial herb, 3-5 inches high, with 

 stem and radical leaves rising from a cluster of tuber- 

 ous roots. Leaves 2-3-ternately compound; involucral 

 leaves similar, sessile; leaflets more or less 3-lobed, rounded 

 to heart-shaped at the base and long petiolate. Flowers 

 white or pinkish, umbellate; sepals 5-10, large, broad- 

 ovate, thin; petals none. Achenes terete, ribbed, sessile. 

 Anemone thalictroides ~h. Sp. PL, p. 542, 1753. Thalic- 

 trum anemonoides Mx. Fl. Bor. Am., vol. 1, p. 322, 1803. 

 Syndesmon thalictroides Hoffmg. Flora, 15: Part 2, Intell. 

 Bl. 4, 34, 1832. Ancmonclla thalictroides Spach, Hist. 

 Veg., vol. 7, p. 240, 1839. 



This pretty vernal species is common in rich upland 

 woods where it may be gathered during the months of April 

 and May, varying earlier or later according to the vicissi- 

 tudes of the seasons. The flowering stem first appears, 

 later the basal leaves which much resemble those of a 

 Thalictrum, a fact which led Michaux to place the species 

 in that genus. Double flowered forms are not infrequent. 

 Occasionally the floral envelope and organs simulate leaves. 



This species is the only one of the genus and its range 

 is confined to the New World. The limits as set by Brit 

 ton and Brown are eastern United States west to Kansas 

 and Minnesota, sparingly in Ontario. In Iowa it is more 

 common in the eastern counties. Our specimens are from 

 Muscatine, Johnson, and Decatur counties. We have ob- 

 served the species in Winneshiek, Allamakee, and Van 

 Buren counties. The State University herbarium has speci- 

 mens from Henry and Mahaska counties. Messrs. Nagel 

 and Haupt report the species from Scott county which re- 

 port is confirmed by Messrs. Barnes, Reppert and Miller. 

 Prof. Bessey reports the species from Fayette county, which 



