Spring Avens (Geum vernum)
- Family: Rose (Rosaceae)
- Flowering: April-May.
- Field Marks: Species of Geum have basal leaves different from the leaves on the stem. Spring avens has yellow flowers, and the bristly fruit is elevated on a stalk.
- Habitat: Wet woods, along streams, damp thickets.
- Habit: Perennial herb with rhizomes.
- Stems: Spreading to erect, smooth or slightly hairy, up to 1 1/2 feet tall.
- Leaves: Basal and alternate, smooth or slightly hairy, toothed, the basal usually only palmately lobed, the leaves on the stem pinnately divided into 3-11 segments.
- Flowers: Born in cymes, yellow, each flower about 1/4 inch across.
- Sepals: 5, free from each other, green, about 1/8 inch long.
- Petals: 5, free from each other, yellow, shorter than the sepals.
- Stamens: 25-35, free.
- Pistils: Several, free; ovary superior.
- Fruits: A cluster of achenes forming a bristly head 1/4-1/3 inch in diameter, each achene with the persistent hooked style.
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