Tall meadow-rue is a herbaceous perennial native to North America, thriving in moist environments like marshes, swamps, and wet meadows. It can grow impressively tall, reaching heights of 3 to 9 feet, the tallest of all our meadowrues.  The flowering period is from late June to August and begins around the time its relative early meadowrue goes to seed. 

Starry apetalous white flowers (each to ⅓″ across) bloom in fluffy many-flowered inflorescences (panicles or racemes). Plants are mostly dioecious (male and female flowers on separate plants), except male and female flowers sometimes appear on the same plant and bi-sexual flowers sometimes appear with limited numbers of stamens.  Majority of plants have male flowers. White flower color primarily comes from the showy thread-like white stamens (or rather filaments of the stames) which extend outward in a starburst pattern. Plants with female flowers are less showy, but also have white star-like pattern created by the stigmas.

Tall meadowrue is primarily pollinated by wind and occasionally by small bees and flies.  The seeds, housed in its achene fruits, may be dispersed by animals or water, aiding in its propagation. Deer typically avoid eating this plant, as it is somewhat deer-resistant. However, if food is scarce, deer may nibble on plants they usually wouldn't touch.