Entry From
Flora of North America, Vol 3,
Names
Thalictrum pubescens Pursh [family RANUNCULACEAE], Fl. Amer. Sept., 2: 388. 1814, not T. pubescens Schleicher ex de Candolle 1817
Thalictrum carolinianum Bosc ex de Candolle var. subpubescens de Candolle [family RANUNCULACEAE]
Thalictrum polygamum Muhlenberg ex Sprengel [family RANUNCULACEAE]
Thalictrum polygamum var. hebecarpum Fernald [family RANUNCULACEAE]
Thalictrum polygamum var. intermedium B. Boivin [family RANUNCULACEAE]
Thalictrum polygamum var. pubescens (Pursh) K. C. Davis [family RANUNCULACEAE]
Thalictrum pubescens var. hebecarpum (Fernald) B. Boivin [family RANUNCULACEAE]
Distribution
St. Pierre and MiquelonUSA Ala.USA Ark.USA Conn.USA Del.USA D.C.USA Ga.USA Ill.USA Ind.USA Ky.USA MaineUSA Md.USA Mass.USA Mich.USA Miss.USA N.H.USA N.J.USA N.Y.USA N.C.USA OhioUSA Pa.USA R.I.USA S.C.USA Tenn.USA Vt.USA Va.USA W.Va.Canada N.B.Canada Nfld.Canada N.S.Canada Ont.Canada P.E.I.Canada Que.
Discussion
The ovaries change from white to purplish, becoming light green, then darker green, and finally brown as fruits mature.
Because of the polymorphic nature of Thalictrum pubescens, a proliferation of names for minor morphologic variants has resulted. Field studies (M. Park 1992) have shown that too much morphologic variation occurs within populations to support the recognition of previously described taxa. Plants in New England and northeastern Canada often have a corymbose inflorescence and longer filaments and achene beaks.
This species is often incorrectly treated in floras as T. polygamum Sprengel, an invalid name.
The Iroquois used Thalictrum pubescens medicinally a a wash for head and neck, to stop nosebleeds, and to treat gall (D. E. Moerman 1986).