Waxy Meadow Rue (Thalictrum revolutum)

Ranunculaceae or Buttercup Family
 

Weak-stemmed plant, sprawling over other plants and often resembling a vine.  Flowers, which are in large, branching clusters, have 4 tiny white petals and abundant white stamens with yellow tips that droop below the petals.  Leaves are divided into multiple leaflets.  Many of the leaflets have a distinct shape, oval with three large lobes at the tip.  Leaflets have waxy grains underneath which smell somewhat skunky.  Plant blooms in early summer in open sunny places.

Common along Wildwood Drive under the powerline.

Tall meadow rue occurs in the same area.  It has similar leaves, except without the wax or smell, and the flowers are upright and spreading instead of drooping.  Early meadow rue blooms earlier and in shadier places.  It has similar flowers, except they are greenish.  Leaves are distinctly different, with scalloped edges.