Wood Avens

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• town avens
• wood avens
• Bennet's-root
• avens
• cloveroot
• herb-bennet

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Geranium pseudomolle
• Geum × intermedium var. rubifolium
• Geum urbanum f. mauritanicum
• Geum urbanum var. rubifolium
• Geum urbanum var. hirtum
• Geum urbanum var. platylobum
• Geum urbanum var. hirsutum
• Geum urbanum var. mauritanicum
• Geum urbanum var. opulifolium
• Caryophyllata urbana
• Geum rivale subsp. urbanum
• Geum urbanum var. majus
• Geum caucasicum
• Geum hederifolium
• Geum ambiguum
• Geum pseudomolle
• Geum hyrcanum
• Geum ibericum
• Geum ibericum
• Geum hirtum
• Geum klettianum
• Geum urbanum subvar. opulifolium
• Geum urbanum var. orientale
• Geum salvatoris
• Geum rubifolium
• Geum robustum
• Geum klettianum var. semperflorens
• Bernoullia media
• Caryophyllata officinalis
• Geum urbanum var. australe
• Geum urbanum subvar. australe
• Geum urbanum f. glandulosum
• Geum urbanum var. grandifolium
• Geum urbanum subvar. grandifolium
• Geum urbanum hirtum
• Geum urbanum subvar. hirtum
• Geum vicanum
• Geum urbanum subvar. orientale
• Geum urbanum subvar. robustum
• Geum urbanum var. simplicifolium
• Geum urbanum subvar. simplicifolium
• Geum urbanum var. stenolobum
• Geum urbanum var. strictum
• Geum urbanum f. typicum
• Geum urbanum var. umbrosum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Rosales and the family Rosaceae, it is classified under the genus Geum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread presence across several regions within Northern Europe. Specifically, it can be found growing in the natural landscapes of Denmark. Its distribution also extends to the northern territories of Finland and Norway. In the western parts of the continent, the species is well-established in both Great Britain and Ireland. Together, these locations highlight the plant's affinity for the Northern European climate.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Geum urbanum is characterized by its ability to thrive in transitional environments, particularly within forest edges and well-maintained parks. It typically colonizes semi-shaded to open areas where the soil is moist but well-drained, benefiting from the dappled sunlight found at the margins of woodland habitats. By occupying these ecotones, the plant utilizes the nutrient-rich organic matter often present in forest borders and the managed soils of urban green spaces. Its presence in these specific habitats suggests a preference for moderately disturbed sites that offer a balance between the protection of forest structures and the light availability found in more open, park-like settings.

Habitat :

forestedges,parks

Life history

The life history of Geum urbanum is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. It functions as a hemicryptophyte, a life form where the perennating buds are located at the soil surface, typically protected by leaf litter or debris during unfavorable conditions. Furthermore, the species exhibits an evergreen deciduousness, maintaining its vegetative presence even as it navigates seasonal transitions.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Geum urbanum is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. It is a terrestrial, self-supporting plant that does not function as a climber or an epiphyte, nor does it exhibit parasitic behavior, remaining entirely independent in its growth. The plant typically reaches a height ranging from a minimum of 0.3 m to a maximum of 1 m, with an average plant height of approximately 0.3835 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

0.3835 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Geum urbanum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a metabolic strategy typical of many temperate woodland species that optimizes carbon fixation under moderate light and temperature conditions. As a non-carnivorous organism, the plant relies entirely on its root system and soil nutrients for sustenance rather than capturing prey. Its vegetative morphology is defined by leaves that vary in length, ranging from a minimum of 15 cm to a maximum of 30 cm. The average leaf size is approximately 34.41 cm², reflecting a specific surface area optimized for light interception within its ecological niche. Furthermore, the plant exhibits a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 384.64 cm²/g, a physiological indicator of its leaf thickness and resource allocation strategies regarding biomass and photosynthetic efficiency.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

30 cm

Leaf length min:

15 cm

Leaf size mean:

34.41 cm²

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

384.64 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Geum urbanum is characterized by a sexual process that begins with its flowering period, which typically starts in May and concludes in July. During this time, the plant utilizes a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects such as bees to facilitate the transfer of pollen. Notably, self-fertilization is absent in this species, ensuring genetic diversity through cross-pollination. Following fertilization, the plant produces dry, indehiscent fruits classified as achenes. The seeds contained within these fruits are quite small, with a mean seed mass of approximately 0.0019582 g (ranging from a minimum of 0.00073 g to a maximum of 0.0041 g) and a consistent seed volume of 7.3 mm³. Dispersal is achieved through a zoochorous syndrome, specifically via epizoochory, where the seeds are transported by animals. There is no evidence of asexual reproduction in this species.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

epizoochorous

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Jul

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit type :

achene

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

0.0041 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0019582 g

Seed mass min:

0.00073 g

Seed volume max:

7.3 mm³

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Geum urbanum has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root.

Root

1. Biochemistry and cell biology = Biochimie et biologie cellulaire

Chemicals

Geum urbanum has 18 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Astragalin, Ellagitannins, Flavonoids, Gemin A, Hyperoside.

Astragalin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Ellagitannins

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Flavonoids

1. Pharmacognosy magazine

Gemin A

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hyperoside

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Pedunculagin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Proanthocyanidins

1. Pharmacognosy magazine

Procyanidins

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

RUTIN

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Stachyurin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Geum urbanum has 3 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant.

Antibacterial

1. Chemistry Central journal

Antimicrobial

1. Chemistry Central journal

Antioxidant

1. Chemistry Central journal

Conditions

Geum urbanum has 12 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Bacillus cereus, LDL-cholesterol, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, gingivitis.

Bacillus cereus

1. Chemistry Central journal

Ldl-cholesterol

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Cardiovascular diseases

1. Biochemistry and cell biology = Biochimie et biologie cellulaire

Diabetes mellitus

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Gingivitis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hyperglycemia

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hyperlipidemia

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Mucositis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Neurodegenerative diseases

1. Pharmacognosy magazine

Periodontosis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Geum urbanum has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include methanolic extracts of the root and aerial parts, water extracts.

Methanolic extracts of the root and aerial parts

1. Biochemistry and cell biology = Biochimie et biologie cellulaire

Water extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology