False Rue Anemone

Enemion biternatum

?  by-TER-nat-um

Synonyms of Enemion biternatum (2) (Updated on 2-23-23 from Plants of the World Online): Isopyrum biternatum (Raf.) Torr. & A.Gray, Isopyrum biternatum f. acutilobum Fassett

Enemion biternatum Raf. is the accepted scientific name for the False Rue Anemone. The genus and species were named and described as such by Constantine Samuel Rafinesque in the Journal de Physique in 1820. It was renamed Isopyrum biternatum by John Torrey and Asa Gray in A Flora of North America in 1840 and is now considered a synonym. I noticed a few websites and databases are still using Isopyrum biternatum. It is difficult for many to keep up with name changes. Of course, you never know when the name will change back… 

As of 23-23-23 when this page was last updated, Plants of the World Online lists 6 species in the Enemion genus and 4 in the Isopyrum genus. They are members of the plant family Ranunculaceae with a total of 51 genera. Those numbers could change as updates are made on POWO.

The above distribution map for Enemion biternatum is from Plants of the World Online. The map on the USDA Plants Database for the United States and Canada is the same. A few states and Ontario, Canada have this species only in a few areas and are listed as endangered or threatened. 

The map on iNaturalist shows where members have made observations. Anyone can join and it is a great website to confirm and share your observations. The maps on iNaturalist are continually updated as members post new observations.

THERE ARE SEVERAL LINKS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE FOR FURTHER READING AND TO HELP WITH A BETTER POSITIVE ID.

I observed only a few small colonies of Enemion biternatum in the woods along the East Fork Tebo Creek on a friend’s property on April 27, 2020. Its most widely used common name is False Rue Anemone and it is a member of the plant family Ranunculaceae. The plants are fairly short and very easy to pass over when not in flower. Enemion biternatum is a perennial and is considered a spring ephemeral. This means after flowering in very early spring the plants will go dormant after setting seed. This is one of the earlier flowering plants in the woods, blooming before the trees leaf out. Plants then emerge again in the fall and remain evergreen over the winter. Plants may produce small tubers.

This perennial wildflower was formerly best known as Isopyrum biternatum (eye-so-PYE-rum by-TER-nat-um).

Its leaves grow in an alternate manner, are ternately divided or trifoliate, and glabrous (hairless). The basal leaves have longer petioles (stems) than the upper leaves. Leaflets are broadly lanceolate to ovate, 2-3 lobed or parted, and sometimes have shallow notches at the tips. Information says leaves are 2-3 times compound and 3 parted… 

Flowering stems, 4-16″ long, emerge from leaf axils along the stem as well as at the top of the plant. Flowering stems also produce leaves. There are a pair of rounded stipules where the flower stalk and leaf stalk join.

Plants produce 1-4 flowers per flowering stem. At first glance, anyone would think this is a five-petaled flower (some may have six but usually only five). However, the petals are actually petal-like sepals and not petals at all. The flowers produce pollen but no nectar. Flowers have 25 to 50 stamens with yellow anthers. These arise from under the green erect carpels that are 3 to 6 in number, each having a short style.

This species is often confused with Thalictrum thalictroides which is the true Rue Anemone.

I haven’t been to the area where I found this species for a few years. Maybe in 2024… Cattle were grazing there in 2022 and you know what that can do for many species of wildflowers.

I have enjoyed photographing and learning about the many wildflowers growing on the family farm and in other areas. The farm is in Windsor, Missouri in Pettis County (Henry County is across the street, and Benton and Johnson aren’t far away). I have grown over 500 different plants and identified over 250 species of wildflowers (most have pages listed on the right side of the blog). I am not an expert, botanist, or horticulturalist. I just like growing, photographing, and writing about my experience. I rely on several websites for ID and a horticulturalist I contact if I cannot figure them out. Wildflowers can be somewhat variable from location to location, so sometimes it gets a bit confusing. If you see I have made an error, please let me know so I can correct what I have written.

I hope you found this page useful and be sure to check the links below for more information. They were written by experts and have provided much more information. Some sites may not be up-to-date but they are always a work in progress. If you can, I would appreciate it if you would click on the “Like” below and leave a comment. It helps us bloggers stay motivated. You can also send an email to me at thebelmontrooster@yahoo.com. I would enjoy hearing from you especially if you notice something is a bit whacky

FOR FURTHER READING:
PLANTS OF THE WORLD ONLINE (GENUS/SPECIES)
INTERNATIONAL PLANT NAMES INDEX (GENUS/SPECIES)
TROPICOS (GENUS/SPECES)
FLORA OF NORTH AMERICA (GENUS/SPECIES)
WORLD FLORA ONLINE (GENUS/SPECIES)
WIKIPEDIA (GENUS/SPECIES)
USDA PLANTS DATABASE
MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN
MISSOURI PLANTS
iNATURALIST
WILDFLOWER SEARCH
DAVE’S GARDEN
ILLINOIS WILDFLOWERS
MINNESOTA WILDFLOWERS
KANSAS WILDFLOWERS AND GRASSES
FRIENDS OF THE WILDFLOWER GARDEN
NAME THAT PLANT

NOTE: The data (figures, maps, accepted names, etc.) may not match on these websites. It depends on when and how they make updates and when their sources make updates. Some websites have hundreds and even many thousands of species to keep up with. Accepted scientific names change periodically and it can be hard to keep with as well. Some of the links may use a name that is a synonym on other sites. In my opinion, Plants of the World Online by Kew is one of the most reliable and up-to-date plant databases and they make updates regularly. I make updates “at least” once a year and when I write new pages or add new photos but I do get behind. We are all a work in progress. 🙂