
False rue anemone is a herbaceous spring wildflower, often growing in large colonies, usually in bottomlands.
The flowers arise singly on long stems from leaf axils; there are 5 petal-like sepals, which are white.
Blooms March–May.
Leaves are present at the base of the plant but also on the stems with flowers. The leaves are compound with 2 or 3 sections, these with rounded lobes. The clefts between the leaflet lobes are deeper than the ones on rue anemone.
Similar species: This flower is often confused with (true) rue anemone, Thalictrum thalictroides. That species, however, has only bracts on the flowering stems (not complete leaves); it often has more than 5 sepals, which are sometimes pinkish; it is usually only found singly; and it prefers wooded slopes instead of moist bottomlands.
Height: 5–8 inches.

Statewide, except for the southeast lowlands.
Habitat and Conservation
Occurs mainly at bases of wooded slopes or in wooded bottomlands, sometimes in sunny situations. Often found in large colonies.
The moist bottomland habitat is one of the key identifiers for this species, helping to distinguish it from the similar-looking rue anemone, which prefers wooded slopes.
Status
Native Missouri spring bottomland wildflower.
Human Connections
False rue anemone and "true" rue anemone present a bit of difficulty for the budding naturalist, but learning how to identify the two similar plants helps us understand botany, and our world, better.
This plant is a good choice for native plant gardening. Always acquire plants from reputable native plant nurseries; never dig them from natural areas.
Ecosystem Connections
Many animals nibble tender green plants in springtime. This and other woodland flowers require a wooded habitat to survive, so they depend on the oaks, hickories, maples, and other trees that surround them.
Taxonomy: Most botanists have been convinced that this North American plant and its relatives are fairly unrelated to the Eurasian genus Isopyrum (where it was formerly placed), so it has been moved to genus Enemion.

