A large genus of the buttercup family to which they bear little resemblance. All have delicate ferny foliage, often mistaken for aquilegias and vary from border stalwarts to choice woodland plants. The taller forms are easy to cultivate in most soils of good health although T. aquilegifolium seems adaptable to a wide range of situations. Once cut down the plant will not regrow until the following spring so just removing the spent flower head is sufficient and will help prevent self seeding.
Aside from doubled forms, in which additional petals replace the nectar and pollen-bearing structures, Thalictrum species generally help support a range of pollinators, especially flies and beetles. This is despite the fact that a number of the species have secondarily evolved to be wind-pollinated. T. aquilegifolium and T. delavayi are both appearing with increasing frequency in the wild, although generally in relatively man-made habitats where their ecological impact is not of concern.