common rue, Ruta graveolens

Common rue has had a strong tradition in Eurasian and North African culture for many centuries. One source says that yesterday's goat's-rue was named rue because past plant authorities saw a resemblance to today's rue. Do you see it? I don't either. So I'm skeptical, and would speculate that it is because goat's-rue is poisonous to grazing animals, even goats. Common rue is also somewhat toxic, but that has not kept it from being widely used as a flavoring and garnish. It has an even stronger but largely undeserved role in traditional herbal medicine. Common rue has been reported wild from AL, CA, CT, IL, MD, MO, NC, NH, NY, PA, RI, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV, AB, ON, and QC. Cultivated, Lenawee Co MI, 9/1/14. Rue family, Rutaceae.