Geum

<i>Geum</i>

Geum

Genus of plants

For the river, see Geum River.

Geum /ˈdʒiːəm/,[1] (Latinized Greek for "taste" referencing the roots of the plant[2]) commonly called avens, is a genus of about 50 species of rhizomatous perennial herbaceous plants in the rose family and its subfamily Rosoideae, widespread across Europe, Asia, North and South America, Africa, and New Zealand. They are closely related to Potentilla and Fragaria. From a basal rosette of leaves, they produce flowers on wiry stalks, in shades of white, red, yellow, and orange, in midsummer. Geum species are evergreen except where winter temperatures drop below 0 °F (−18 °C). The cultivars 'Lady Stratheden'[3] (with yellow flowers), and 'Mrs J. Bradshaw'[4] (with orange flowers) have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[5]

Quick Facts Geum, Scientific classification ...
Geum urbanum flower

Geum species are used as food by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including the grizzled skipper.

The UK National Collection of geums is held at Brickwall Cottage Garden and Nursery in Frittenden, Kent.[6]

Selected species

For a more detailed list see List of Geum species.

Geum 'Beech House'
Geum vernum developing fruit

References

  1. [1]
    Sunset Western Garden Book, 1995:606–607
  2. [2]
    Coombes, Allen J. (2012). The A to Z of plant names : a quick reference guide to 4000 garden plants (1st ed.). Portland, Or.: Timber Press. p. 154. ISBN 978-1-60469-196-2. OCLC 741564356.
  3. [3]
    "RHS Plant selector". Retrieved 10 July 2020.
  4. [4]
    "RHS Plant selector". Retrieved 10 July 2020.
  5. [5]
    "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 43. Retrieved 2 March 2018.
  6. [6]
    "Geum - The National Collection". geumcollection.co.uk/. 2010. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  7. [7]
    Dickinson, T.; Metsger, D.; Bull, J.; Dickinson, R. (2004). The ROM Field Guide to Wildflowers of Ontario. Toronto: Royal Ontario Museum. p. 367. ISBN 0771076525. OCLC 54691765.
  8. [8]
    Dickinson et al. 2004, p. 368
  9. [9]
    Dickinson et al. 2004, p. 369
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