leaves and flowers

It's Thalictrum (Meadow Rue)

Here is a link that might be useful: meadow rue

Good grief...really? I have meadow rue all over the place in VA and though there may be a resemblance in the leaves, this plant looks nothing like the ones I know. The plant pictured is prostrate, the meadow rue I'm familiar with stands erect. Can you narrow down the species? I'm not saying you're incorrect I just don't see that plant in the link you sent. Thanks!

Yes, there's about 8 species in NC according to USDA. I don't know the species there so can't say. Check a local wildflower guide book.

Thanks, dbarron! Have 3 very good guides and I see a couple of possibilities....but the leaf arrangement just doesn't look right. Could you look at these species and let me know which one you think? T. pubescens or T. clavatum ? They seem to have groupings of 3 leaflets...the one I saw had more leaflets per "grouping"....maybe they have a variable number of leaflets and number is unimportant? Thanks for any input...I'm trying to improve my id'ing skills :)

Have a look through this link and see if it matches.

Here is a link that might be useful: thalictrum pubescens

Ok, thanks so much, Mo...I think that's it!