Flower:

Male and female flowers are on separate plants. Flowers of both sexes are petal-less and about ¼ inch across, with 4 or 5 light green sepals that drop off early on the female flowers. The female flowers have what looks like about 10 thick thread-like white to greenish petals. These are pistils, rather than petals.

Male flowers have numerous dangling yellowish green to purplish brown stamens with pale yellow tips that turn brown with maturity. For both sexes, flowers are in large open clusters on the upper branches of the plant.

Leaves:

Leaves are twice compound in groups of 3 or 5. Leaflets are ½ to ¾ inch long and about as wide, hairless with a slender stem. Each leaflet is notched or lobed at the tip end in 3 or more rounded parts. Attachment at the main stem is alternate, while the leaflets are oppositely attached.

Fruit:

Clusters of seed capusules form on the female plants. Each capsule is about ¼ inch long, green and generally oval with distinct vertical ridges and a brown stub of a pistil at the top.

Notes:

Early Meadow Rue is similar to Tall Meadow Rue, but the latter is a much taller plant (to 6 feet) and doesn't start blooming until about the time Early Meadow Rue goes to seed in June.