Family - Rutaceae

Stems - No info. yet.

Leaves - No info. yet.

Adaxial surface of leaf.

Abaxial surface of leaf.

Inflorescence - No info. yet.

Flowers - No info. yet.

Fruit.

Flowering - April - June.

Habitat - Limestone glades, prairie openings on top of bluffs, rocky open woods, low woods in ravines, thickets. Nearly always on limestone soils.

Origin - Native to U.S.

Other info. - This shrubby species can be found mainly in the counties southeast of a line drawn from Bates County to Scotland County. It is also found in Atchison County. The plant is easy to identify because of its trifoliolate, alternate leaves and small flowers.
Traditionally the plant was used for a host of culinary and medicinal purposes. The fruits were used as a hops substitute and the roots and bark were used as a quinine substitute.

Photographs taken at Alley Spring, MO., 5-22-03.