Geum urbanum

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Geum urbanum
(MHNT) Geum urbanum - Habit.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Geum
Species:
G. urbanum
Binomial name
Geum urbanum
L.

Geum urbanum, also known as wood avens, herb Bennet, colewort and St. Benedict's herb (Latin herba benedicta), is a perennial plant in the rose family (Rosaceae), which grows in shady places (such as woodland edges and near hedgerows) in the temperate regions of Eurasia and North America.

Contents

Description

A downy perennial herb with a short thick rhizome and thin wiry stems, usually reaching a height between 20 and 60 cm, wood avens blooms between May and August. However, the flowers can remain into the autumn and sometimes as late as December. [1] The flowers are 1 – 2 cm in diameter, having five bright yellow petals clearly separated from a calyx divided into 5 large and 5 small segments. [1] The hermaphrodite flowers, which are relatively small in relation to the size of the plant, are scented and are pollinated by bees.

The fruiting head consists of many zigzag-shaped hairy achenes measuring 5 - 10 mm long. In fruit, the lower part of each style has a burr that can hook on to the fur of rabbits and other animals for dispersal. [2]

The leaves, which vary considerably in form depending on their position and local growth conditions, are pinnate, with 2 – 3 pairs of unequal lateral leaflets measuring 5 – 10 mm long, and one large terminal three-lobed leaflet that is cuneate to cordate at the base. The upper leaves on the stem are trifoliate, consisting of three long narrow leaflets, or undivided.

The stipules, measuring 4 x 3 cm, are as wide as long. [3]

The rhizome is purple in cross section [3]

Distribution

Geum urbanum is found throughout Europe (its areas are more scattered in southern Iberia and in Russia, and it is completely absent from northern Scandinavia, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Shetland, Malta, the Balearic and the Aegean islands). [4] It also occurs in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia, in Turkey and the Levant, the Caucasus and the Armenian Highlands, around the Alborz mountains in Iran, and less extensively in western Siberia and in the mountains of Central Asia up to the Western Himalayas. [5] [6]

Etymology and taxonomy

The common name avens is derived from the Latin Avencia, in turn from the medieval Latin avantia or avence. The other English name Herb Bennet is a corrupt translation of the old herbalist name Herba benedicta, meaning blessed herb.

The generic name Geum originated from the Greek geno, a word meaning to yield a pleasant aroma in reference to the root’s strong clove-like smell when freshly dug up. [1] The specific epithet urbanum means ‘of towns’. [7]

Geum urbanum hybridizes fairly regularly with Geum rivale (water avens), as they are closely related and cooccur. In fact, the phenomenon is so conspicuous that hybrids were once treated as a separate species named Geum intermedium Ehrh.

It has been introduced in North America, [8] [9] where it forms natural hybrids with Geum canadense (= Geum ×catlingii J.-P. Bernard & R. Gauthier). [10]

Both G. urbanum and its hybrids show hexaploidy, with chromosome number 2n = 42. [11]

Ecology

G. urbanum is a common, typically lowland plant favouring dry semi-natural broadleaved woodland, scrub, hedgerows, and waysides on well-drained soils. [12] It sometimes also grows in open disturbed habitats rich in soil nitrogen, occurring as a garden weed. [12] It grows on mildly acidic to calcareous soils in the pH range 5.4 – 7.7. [13] The plant has a moderate shade tolerance and is absent from open grassland communities where it appears unable to compete with other species [12]

It has short rhizomes that support production of flowering stems and potentially viable axillary buds for several years after the buds have been produced [12] The plant is usually sparsely distributed in its habitat since new plants mostly originate from scattered propagules. Vegetative spread is relatively rare. [14] Some of its basal rosette leaves are produced in October, overwinter in the vegetative state, remain green and are photosynthetically active during winter. [12]

G. urbanum occurs in a range of woodland and scrub communities, such as Fraxinus excelsior – Acer campestris – Mercurialis perennis – Glechoma hederacea subcommunity (W8) on base-rich soils and the F. excelsior – Sorbus aucuparia – M. perennis community (W9) in the cooler and wetter parts of Britain in the northwest. It occasionally occurs in Alnus glutinosa – Urtica dioica woodland (W6). It is widespread but local in Rubus fruticosus – Holcus lanatus scrub (W24). [15]

G. urbanum has been observed to be infected by various fungal pathogens, including downy mildew species in Peronospora , powdery mildew Sphaerotheca alchemillae, and Ramularia species, of which the latter causes the formation of pale spots on the leaves. [16]

In folklore

In folklore, wood avens is credited with the power to drive away evil spirits, and worn as an amulet to protect against rabid dogs and venomous snakes. The Ortus Sanitatis , printed in 1491, states:

'Where the root is in the house, Satan can do nothing and flies from it, wherefore it is blessed before all other herbs, and if a man carries the root about him no venomous beast can harm him.' [1]

It was associated with Christianity because its leaves grew in threes and its petals in fives (reminiscent of, respectively, the Holy Trinity and the Five Wounds). Astrologically, it was said to be ruled by Jupiter.

In herbal medicine and other uses

Herbalists use wood avens to treat various diseases, [17] but there is no scientific evidence it has any benefit.

The roots contain the compound eugenol which is also present in cloves [18] and are used as a spice in soups and also for flavouring ale. For example, the Augsburg Ale is said to owe its peculiar flavour to the addition of a small bag of avens inside each cask. The fresh root imparts a pleasant clove-like flavour to the liquor, preserves it from turning sour, and adds to its wholesome properties. [1]

A cordial against the plague was made by boiling the roots in wine. Gerard recommended a 'decoction made in wine against stomach ills and bites of venomous beasts.' Because of its digestive tonic properties, chewing of the root was also recommended for foul breath. [1]

Related Research Articles

<i>Geum</i> Genus of plants

Geum, commonly called avens, is a genus of about 50 species of rhizomatous perennial herbaceous plants in the rose family and its subfamily Rosoideae, widespread across Europe, Asia, North and South America, Africa, and New Zealand. They are closely related to Potentilla and Fragaria. From a basal rosette of leaves, they produce flowers on wiry stalks, in shades of white, red, yellow, and orange, in midsummer. Geum species are evergreen except where winter temperatures drop below 0 °F (−18 °C). The cultivars 'Lady Stratheden', and 'Mrs J. Bradshaw' have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

<i>Adoxa moschatellina</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Adoxaceae

Adoxa moschatellina, moschatel, is a species of flowering plant in the family Adoxaceae which has a highly distinctive inflorescence. This herbaceous perennial grows in relatively sunny places in old woodland, such as the edges of streams, and in shady places in open habitats such as rock crevices in limestone pavements. It has a limited ability to spread by seed, but expands vegetatively via its long stolons. It is a widespread but generally uncommon plant which is not considered to be threatened within its natural range.

<i>Mercurialis perennis</i> Species of flowering plant in the spurge family Euphorbiaceae

Mercurialis perennis, commonly known as dog's mercury, is a poisonous woodland plant found in much of Europe as well as in Algeria, Iran, Turkey, and the Caucasus, but almost absent from Ireland, Orkney and Shetland. A member of the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae), it is a herbaceous, downy perennial with erect stems bearing simple, serrate leaves. The dioecious inflorescences are green, bearing inconspicuous flowers from February to April. It characteristically forms dense, extensive carpets on the floor of woodlands and beneath hedgerows.

<i>Geum rivale</i> Species of flowering plant

Geum rivale, the water avens, is a flowering plant in the genus Geum within the family Rosaceae. Other names of the plant are nodding avens, drooping avens, cure-all, water flower and Indian chocolate. It is native to the temperate regions of Europe, Central Asia and parts of North America, where it is known as the purple avens. It grows in bogs and damp meadows, and produces nodding red flowers from May to September.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bur</span> Seed or dry fruit or infructescence that has hooks or teeth

A bur is a seed or dry fruit or infructescence that has hooks or teeth. The main function of the bur is to spread the seeds of the bur plant, often through epizoochory. The hooks of the bur are used to latch onto fur or fabric, enabling the bur – which contain seeds – to be transported to another location for dispersal. Another use for the spines and hooks are physical protection against herbivores. Their ability to stick to animals and fabrics has shaped their reputation as bothersome.

<i>Geum quellyon</i> Species of flowering plant

Geum quellyon, commonly called scarlet avens, Chilean avens, Double Bloody Mary, or Grecian rose, is a perennial herb in the family Rosaceae. It is native to the central and southern regions of Chile. G. quellyon has been introduced to other countries including Belgium, Bolivia, and the United Kingdom, where it was first planted in 1826.

<i>Geum triflorum</i> Species of flowering plant

Geum triflorum, commonly known as prairie smoke, old man's whiskers, torchflower, three-sisters, long-plumed purple avens, lion's beard, or three-flowered avens, is a spring-blooming perennial herbaceous plant of the Rosaceae family. It is a hemiboreal continental climate species that is widespread in colder and drier environments of western North America, although it does occur in isolated populations as far east as New York and Ontario. It is particularly known for the long feathery plumes on the seed heads that have inspired many of the regional common names and aid in wind dispersal of its seeds.

<i>Geum canadense</i> Species of flowering plant

Geum canadense, the white avens, is a plant in the rose family, Rosaceae. It is widespread across much of Canada, the United States, and Mexico.

<i>Dryopteris intermedia</i> Species of wood fern

Dryopteris intermedia, the intermediate wood fern or evergreen wood fern, is a perennial, evergreen wood fern native to eastern North America. It is a diploid species, and is the parent of several species of hybrid origin, including Dryopteris carthusiana. Other common names for this species include intermediate shield fern, fancy wood fern, fancy fern, glandular wood fern, American shield fern and common wood fern.

<i>Geum radiatum</i> Species of flowering plant

Geum radiatum is a rare species of flowering plant in the rose family known by the common names spreading avens, Appalachian avens, and cliff avens. It is native to the region of the border between Tennessee and North Carolina in the southeastern United States, where there are eleven known populations remaining. The plant was federally listed as an endangered species in 1990.

<i>Pulsatilla nuttalliana</i> Species of flowering plant

Pulsatilla nuttalliana, known as American pasqueflower, prairie pasqueflower, prairie crocus, or simply pasqueflower, is a flowering plant native to much of North America, from the western side of Lake Michigan, to northern Canada in the Northwest Territories, south to New Mexico in the southwestern United States. Pasqueflower is the provincial flower of Manitoba and the state flower of South Dakota.

Primula capillaris is a rare species of flowering plant in the primrose family known by the common name Ruby Mountains primrose, or Ruby Mountain primrose. It is endemic to Nevada in the United States, where it is limited to the Ruby Mountains of Elko County.

<i>Geum peckii</i> Species of flowering plant

Geum peckii is a species of herbaceous, perennial flowering plant in the rose family known by the common name mountain avens. It is native to eastern North America, where it is known from only two locations, the White Mountains of New Hampshire and three sites in Nova Scotia.

<i>Medeola</i> Genus of flowering plants

Medeola virginiana, known as Indian cucumber, cucumber root, or Indian cucumber-root, is an eastern North American plant species in the lily family, Liliaceae. It is the only currently recognized plant species in the genus Medeola. It grows in the understory of forests. The plant bears edible rhizomes that have a mild cucumber-like flavor.

<i>Iris variegata</i> Species of flowering plant

Iris variegata, commonly known as the Hungarian iris, is a plant species in the genus Iris, also in the subgenus Iris. It is a rhizomatous perennial from eastern Europe. It has dark green, ribbed leaves. The branched flowering stems can be as tall as the leaves, they can hold 2–3 flowers in summer. They are yellowish-white, with brown-purple veins on the drooping falls. It is very hardy and it is commonly cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions. There are several cultivars.

<i>Geum <span style="font-style:normal;">×</span> catlingii</i> Species of flowering plant

Geum × catlingii, or Catling's avens, is a plant in the rose family, Rosaceae. It is known from eastern Canada, where it arises from natural hybridization between the native G. canadenseJacq. and the introduced G. urbanumL. It is named after Paul M. Catling, the botanist who first observed the hybrid.

<i>Geum vernum</i> Species of flowering plant

Geum vernum, also known as spring avens, is a herbaceous perennial plant native to the northeastern part of the United States that grows in floodplains and rich woods in the late spring. The species was used to study the fruit evolution in allopolyploid species of Geum and in the preparation of an antimicrobial substance in 1948.

Geum molle is a species of flowering plant of the genus Geum (avens) in the family Rosaceae. A perennial herbaceous plant found on meadows, it is native to the mountains of the Balkan Peninsula and Italy. It blooms with yellow flowers between June and August.

Silphium perplexumJ.R.Allison is a prairie species in the Asteraceae endemic to the state of Alabama. S. perplexum is commonly known as Old Cahaba rosinweed, a reference to the Cahaba River near which all populations of this species are found.  

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Grieve M. 1931. A Modern Herbal. Available at A Modern Herbal | Avens (botanical.com). (accessed 20/10/2022)
  2. ↑ Rose F. 2006. The Wildflower Key. Frederick Warne ISBN   9780723251750
  3. 1 2 Poland J, Clement EJ. 2020. The Vegetative Key to the British Flora. Section Edition. John Poland, Southampton ISBN   9780956014429
  4. ↑ Kurtto, Arto; Lampinen, Raino; Junikka, Leo (2004). Atlas florae Europaeae, distribution of vascular plants in Europe. 13: Rosaceae (Spiraea to Fragaria, excl. Rubus). Helsinki: Committee for mapping the flora of Europe and Societas Biologica Fennica. p. 146. ISBN   978-951-9108-14-8.
  5. ↑ Meusel, Hermann; Jäger, E.; Weinert, E. (1965). Vergleichende Chorologie der zentraleuropäischen Flora. Vol. [Band I]. Jena: Fischer. K220, T532.
  6. ↑ Hultén, Eric; Fries, Magnus (1986). Atlas of North European vascular plants north of the Tropic of Cancer. Königstein: Koeltz Scientific Books. Vol. 2, map 1092. ISBN   978-3-87429-263-4.
  7. ↑ Gledhill D. 1985. The Names of Plants. Cambridge University Press ISBN   0521366755
  8. ↑ Brouillet, L., F. Coursol, S.J. Meades, M. Favreau, M. Anions, P. Bélisle & P. Desmet. 2010+. VASCAN, the Database of Vascular Plants of Canada. http://data.canadensys.net/vascan/ (consulted on 2018-01-12)
  9. ↑ USDA, NRCS. 2018. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 12 January 2018). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA.
  10. ↑ Bernard, J.-P. & R. Gauthier. 1986. Observations sur le Geum urbanum L. dans la région de Québec et description de deux hybrides. Le naturaliste canadien 113: 317-324
  11. ↑ Stace CA. 1975. Hybridization and the Flora of the British Isles. Academic Press.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 Taylor K. 1997. Geum urbanum L. Journal of Ecology 85: 705 – 720.
  13. ↑ Waldren S, Etherington JR, Davies MS. 1988. Comparative studies of plant growth and distribution in relation to waterlogging. XV. The effect of waterlogging on growths of various populations of and hybrids between Geum rivale L. and Geum urbanum L. New Phytologist 109: 97 – 106.
  14. ↑ Grime GP, Hodgson JG, Hunt R. 1988. Comparative Plant Ecology, a functional Approach to common British Species. Unwin Hyman, London.
  15. ↑ Rodwell JS. 1991. British Plant Communities: Volume 1, Woodlands and Scrub. Cambridge University Press.
  16. ↑ Ellis MB, Ellis JP. 1985. Microfungi on Land Plants: An Identification Handbook. Croom Helm, London
  17. ↑ Duke, James A. (2002). Handbook of medicinal herbs. Duke, James A., 1929- (2nd ed.). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. ISBN   0849312841. OCLC   48876592.
  18. ↑ WILD SPICES OF THE UK, Galloway Wild Foods. http://www.gallowaywildfoods.com/wild-spices-of-the-uk/ (consulted on 03/01/2019)

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