they look sorta like ferns?

is that jewelweed I see before me? (the foreground critters)

I still think it looks like a type of Rue.

perhaps I should read before responding - yeesh!
(and it isn't even jewelweed)
sorry

Maybe Thalictrum thalictroides (rue anemone)?

Here is a link that might be useful: Rue anemone

Thank you esh and patch! My first search for rue yielded images that didn't much look like it, but with the scientific name I think I've got a match. And it is native, woo!

Bubble, no problem. :) I've actually got jewelweed coming up aaaaaall over the yard, and it looks distinctly different. Thanks though!

It depends on how big it gets. Thalictrum thalictroides is a pretty small plant and - maybe it is just the perspective in the picture - but these leaves look bigger.

If it gets taller than 8 inches, look at another member of the family like Thalictrum dioicum or Thalictrum pubescens (I have a tall one in the woods, not sure which one but it gets about 3 feet tall).

Here is a picture of my Rue Anemone (very robust in garden soil, it as just a scrap of a plant when I put it there):

{{gwi:196099}}

I suppose I'll know for sure when it decides to flower. When does rue usually bloom? Thanks. :)

I forgot to mention that I dug up and moved some of these mystry plants last week, and they held up remarkably well considering how fragile they seem. They remain tiny, though.

Cheers!

Rue anemone is an early bloomer. The main flush on mine is done now, but it will continue to bloom sporadically for several months (and if I trim it, it will bloom again). The taller rues bloom later (mine are only about 10-12 inches tall now).

After spending the summer dormant, last year my rue anemone started blooming again in the fall, alongside the asters and goldenrods. I never read about that in any of my native plant literature.

- wd