Isopyrum thalictroides

Coming from the upland woods of central Europe, Isopyrum thalictroides
is a dainty plant with a passing resemblance to an anemone, but it is actually more closely related to Thalictrum. It is one of those plants that don't burden the literature much, and seldom appear in catalogues, but which add quiet charm to the garden. It grows from small tubers, and despite its apparent frailty, is rather vigorous, thriving in coarse grass here: books on alpines caution that it can be invasive on a rock garden. Like so many early spring plants though, it is very ephemeral, dying down and disappearing soon after it has flowered.