White avens

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White avens flower

White avens stem leaf

White avens leaves

White avens basal leaf

White avens

White avens leaf

White avens

White avens flower

White avens sepals and stamens

White avens flower

Morphology

Stem

Erect, 1 to several, simple, velvety pubescent above, sparsely hairy or glabrous below.

Leaves

Basal, simple, long-stalked, thick, undivided or frequently 3-5-lobed to deeply palmately divided, terminal segment broadly egg-shaped, larger than lateral segments; stem leaves alternate, short-stalked, similar; appressed hairy above; margins toothed; tips pointed; stipules ovate-oblong, 1/2 to 3/4 inch long, entire or cleft.

Inflorescence

Solitary or few in clusters, terminal, on long stalks that are velvety-hairy and sparsely to densely long-hairy.

Flower

1/2 to 3/4 inch wide; sepals 5, lanceolate, to 2/5 inch long, greenish, tips pointed; petals 5, to 1/3 inch long, white, fading yellowish, bent backward; stamens numerous; pistils 50-80.

Fruit

Achenes, numerous, beaked, in spherical heads 1/2 to 3/4 inch in diameter.

Ecology

Habitat

Shaded areas of woodlands, thickets, and stream valleys.

Distribution

East 3/4 of Kansas.

Practical Information

Uses

European avens (Geum urbanum L.) was sometimes used in remedies for diarrhea, liver ailments, rheumatism, and depression.

Additional Notes