Meadow Rue

Within Reading University grounds there are several areas of grassland that look as so they are deliberately managed to encourage the growth of wild flowers and attract insects.  Early this spring I noticed that someone had planted about half a dozen new plants in one of these areas.  From the shape of their leaves I guessed that they might be brassicas of some form, but when these yellow flowers came out I was able to identify them as a species meadow rue (Thalictrum sp).  The flowers look like those of yellow meadow rue (Thalictrum flavum) but the leaves look more like those of lesser meadow rue (Thalictrum minus), so I am uncertain as to the species.

Photos taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2010-06-27.