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Smith, R.W.

Geum rivale

Geum rivale L.

Purple Avens, Water Avens

Rosaceae (Rose Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: geri2

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N), GL (N), SPM (N)

A hairy perennial with several purple flowers nodding from a 1 ft. high flowering stem. Large basal leaves are divided into three, lobed leaflets. Leaves along the flowering stem are also divided but much smaller.

From the Image Gallery

5 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Achene , Aggregate
Size Notes: Up to about 2-1/2 feet tall.
Leaf: Green
Fruit: Aggregated achenes.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow , Purple
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: CO , CT , IL , IN , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MT , ND , NH , NJ , NM , NY , OH , PA , RI , SD , VT , WA , WI , WV , WY
Canada: AB , BC , MB , NB , NL , NS , NT , ON , PE , QC , SK
Native Distribution: Lab. to B.C. & Okanogan Co., WA, s. to n. NJ, WV, n. IL & ND; & in the Rockies to NM
Native Habitat: Swamps; wet meadows; bogs

Growing Conditions

Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Wet
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Wet to moist, acid soils.
Conditions Comments: A robust grower.

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Propagation

Description: Will grow from seed.
Seed Treatment: Seed needs no pretreatment.
Commercially Avail: yes

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:			FACW		OBL	FACW		OBL	OBL	FACW

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

Bibliography

Bibref 1294 - The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants An Illustrated Guide (2011) Adelman, Charlotte and Schwartz, Bernard L.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Geum rivale in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Geum rivale in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Geum rivale

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-13
Research By: TWC Staff

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