Geum urbanum
Wood avens
Geum urbanum, commonly known as Wood Avens, is a perennial herb characterized by its delicate, yellowish flowers and distinctive hooked seeds. Historically used in traditional herbalism, this plant possesses mild astringent and anti-inflammatory properties. It thrives in shady woodlands, serving as a resilient component of temperate ecosystems.
- Scientific name: Geum urbanum
- Family: Rosaceae
- Native range: Europe
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.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Rosales | WCVP |
| Family | Rosaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Geum | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Geum urbanum, is recognized by various traditional names across different languages and regions. In Poland, it is called kuklik pospolity, while in France, it is commonly referred to as benoîte commune. Its presence is also noted in Russian-speaking areas as гравилат городской, and in Serbian, it is known as both zečija stopa and зечија стопа.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| pl | Kuklik pospolity | Wikidata |
| fr | Benoîte commune | Wikidata |
| ru | гравилат городской | Wikidata |
| sr-el | Zečija stopa | Wikidata |
| sr-ec | Зечија стопа | Wikidata |
| ro | cerențel | Wikidata |
| ca | herba de Sant Benet | Wikidata |
| fi | kyläkellukka | Wikidata |
| uk | гравілат міський | Wikidata |
| de | Echte Nelkenwurz | Wikidata |
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.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Finland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Norway | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as wood avens, utilizes different components for its medicinal properties. The root is a sturdy, creeping rhizome that grows horizontally beneath the soil, often used in traditional herbalism for its specific therapeutic qualities. Above the ground, the aerial parts consist of the leaves, stems, and flowers, which comprise the visible structure of the plant and are frequently collected for decoctions or infusions.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| root | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aerial parts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Geum urbanum has 18 reported phytochemicals identified across 18 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Procyanidins, arbutin, astragalin, caftaric acid, ellagitannins.
- Total chemicals
- 18
- Scientific sources
- 18
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Procyanidins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| arbutin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| astragalin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| caftaric acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ellagitannins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gemin A | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hyperoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pedunculagin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| proanthocyanidins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Geum urbanum has 3 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant.
- Total activities
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Geum urbanum has 12 reported medicinal uses identified across 12 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Bacillus cereus, LDL-cholesterol, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, gingivitis.
- Total uses
- 12
- Scientific sources
- 12
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Bacillus cereus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| LDL-cholesterol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cardiovascular diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diabetes mellitus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gingivitis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hyperglycemia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hyperlipidemia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| mucositis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| neurodegenerative diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| periodontosis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |