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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.