A glabrous perennial herb from a cluster of tuberous-thickened roots, with basal 2-3-ternately compound leaves, those of the involucre similar but sessile, and large terminal umbellate slender-pedicelled white flowers. Sepals thin, petaloid. Petals none. Stamens all anther-bearing. Achenes terete, deeply grooved; stigma sessile, truncate. [Greek, bound together, the plant uniting many of the characters of Anemone and Thalictrum.]

A monotypic genus of eastern North America.

1. Syndesmon Thalictroides (L.) Hoffmg. Rue-Anemone

Fig. 1891

Anemone thalictroides L. Sp. Pl. 542. 1753. Thalictrum anemonoides Michx. Fl. Bor. Am. 1:

322. 1803. Syndesmon thalictroides Hoffmg. Flora 15:

Part 2, Intell. Bl. 4, 34. 1832. Anemonella thalictroides Spach, Hist. Veg. 7:

240. 1839.

Low, glabrous, 4'-9' high, the flowering stem arising in early spring from the cluster of tuberous roots, the ternately-compound basal leaves appearing later and resembling those of Thalictrum. Leaves of the involucre similar, sessile, the leaflets long-petioled; sepals 5-10, white or pinkish, longer than the stamens; flower 1/2'-1' broad; flowers perfect, umbellate immediately above the involucre; achenes sessile, pointed, 4"-6" long.

In woods, New Hampshire and Massachusetts to Florida, Ontario, Minnesota and Kansas. Leaflets are occasionally borne on the stem below those of the involucre. March-June. Wind-flower. May-flower.