Flora of East-Central Indiana

Spring Avens
Scientific Name Geum vernum  (Raf.) T. & G.
Family Name Rosaceae (Rose Family)

 

geum_vernum_form.JPG (56995 bytes)

Characteristics
Habitat: rich woods
Plant Height: 30-60 cm tall, several erect pubescent stems from base
Flower Color: yellow to cream-colored
Flower: perfect; complete; 0.5 cm wide with 5 recurved petals as long as triangular sepals; stalk of ovary elongates into fruit
Inflorescence: loose cymes terminating stems
Fruit: achenes beaked with persistent styles and stigmas
Leaves: alternate; basal leaves toothed, typically unlobed but can be 3-5 lobed; cauline leaves variable have pubescence on underneath veins; stipules serrate
Bloom Time: Mid April- Mid May
Origins: native
Other: compare with Ranunculus arbortivus
geum_vernum_leaves4.jpg (116676 bytes) geum_vernum_stem.JPG (137719 bytes) geum_vernum_inflorescence.JPG (20269 bytes) geum_vernum_fruit2.JPG (87382 bytes)
general habit basal leaves inflorescence close up of fruit

Native Wildflowers ● Trees, Shrubs&Vines ● Ferns ● Grasses&Allies ● Non-Native Species ●  ECI Flora Home

information provided by

FSEEC
Field Station and
Environmental Education Center
Ball State University, Muncie, IN



comments to:
hbrown@bsu.edu