Geum rivale L.

  • Authority

    Gleason, Henry A. & Cronquist, Arthur J. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. lxxv + 910 pp.

  • Family

    Rosaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Geum rivale L.

  • Description

    Species Description - Stems 3–6 dm from a short, stout rhizome, sparsely hirsutulous; basal lvs to 3 dm, with 3(5) principal lfls, the terminal one broadly obovate or subrotund, serrate, ± 3-lobed, the others adjacent, narrowly obovate; additional lateral lfls remote and irregular; cauline lvs much smaller, reduced above, variously toothed to divided; fls several, campanulate, nodding, the pedicels eventually elongate; sep purple, ascending or erect, 7–10 mm; bractlets linear, 3–4 mm; pet yellowish, suffused with purple and purple-veined, usually a little shorter than the sep; style at anthesis jointed near the middle, the distal segment plumose, to 8 mm at maturity; achenes spreading, with decurved styles; 2n=42. Swamps and wet meadows; Nf. and Que. to Alta., s. to N.J., Pa., Ind., Mich., and Calif. May– July. G. pulchrum Fernald, with clear yellow pet conspicuously exceeding the sep, has been thought to be a hybrid with G. macrophyllum, but may be merely a form of G. rivale.

  • Common Names

    water-avens