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Geum urbanum
  • Wood Avens

a perennial member of the Geum genus in the family Rosaceae.

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Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 6
    Zone 6
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Geum urbanum has 0 edible uses listed
Geum urbanum has 0 material uses listed
Geum urbanum has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Young leaves - cooked. Root - cooked. Used as a spice in soups, stews etc, and also as a flavouring in ale[1][2][3][4][5]. It is a substitute for cloves with a hint of cinnamon in the flavour[6][7][5]. It is best used in spring[6]. The root is also boiled to make a beverage[8]. The root is up to 5cm long[1].

Unknown part

Condiment
Drink

Leaves

Unknown use

Root

Unknown use

Material uses

The freshly dug root has a clove-like fragrance[1], when dried it is used in the linen cupboard to repel moths[1][9]. The root contains about 9% tannin[1].

Unknown part

Repellent
Tannin

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Wood avens is an astringent herb, used principally to treat problems affecting the mouth, throat and gastro-intestinal tract. It tightens up soft gums, heals mouth ulcers, makes a good gargle for infections of the pharynx and larynx, and reduces irritation of the stomach and gut[10].

All parts of the plant, but especially the root, are anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, aromatic, astringent, diaphoretic, febrifuge, stomachic, styptic and tonic[1][11][12][13][14]. An infusion is taken internally in the treatment of diarrhoea, intestinal disorders, stomach upsets, irritable bowel syndrome and liver disorders, it is also applied externally as a wash to haemorrhoids, vaginal discharges etc[14][10] and to treat various skin afflictions - it is said to remove spots, freckles and eruptions from the face[1][11].

The root is best harvested in the spring, since at this time it is most fragrant[1]. Much of the fragrance can be lost on drying, so the root should be dried with great care then stored in a cool dry place in an airtight container, being sliced and powdered only when required for use[1].

Unknown part

Antiinflammatory
Antiseptic
Aromatic
Astringent
Diaphoretic
Febrifuge
Skin
Stomachic
Styptic
Tonic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring or autumn in a cold frame[15]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer' Division in spring or autumn. This should be done every 3 - 4 years in order to maintain the vigour of the plant[15]. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Geum urbanum. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Easily grown in any moderately good garden soil that is well-drained[16]. Prefers shade[6][12] and a soil rich in organic matter[15].

This species was widely cultivated as a pot-herb in the 16th century[2]. The bruised or dried root is pleasantly aromatic with a clove-like fragrance[17]. Plants self-sow freely when well-sited[14].

Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[15].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Geum urbanum. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Geum urbanum.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Geum urbanum
Genus
Geum
Family
Rosaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]
Medicinal uses
[10][1][11][12][13][14]
Material uses & Functions
[1][9]
Botanic
[18][15]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
6
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    0.5 x 0.5 meters
    Fertility
    self fertile
    Pollinators
    Bees, Self
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

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    "image:Geum urbanum bgiu.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Geum urbanum bgiu.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Geum urbanum bgiu.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Geum urbanum bgiu.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Geum urbanum bgiu.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Geum urbanum bgiu.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Geum urbanum bgiu.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Geum urbanum bgiu.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Geum urbanum bgiu.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Geum urbanum bgiu.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Geum urbanum bgiu.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Geum urbanum bgiu.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.001.011.021.031.041.051.061.071.081.091.101.11 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.2 Mabey. R. Food for Free. Collins ISBN 0-00-219060-5 (1974-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Ceres. Free for All. Thorsons Publishers ISBN 0-7225-0445-4 (1977-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.1 Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-33545-3 (1975-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.2 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.26.3 Loewenfeld. C. and Back. P. Britain's Wild Larder. David and Charles ISBN 0-7153-7971-2 ()
    7. ? 7.07.1 Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation (1968-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.1 Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture. ()
    9. ? 9.09.1 De. Bray. L. The Wild Garden. ()
    10. ? 10.010.110.2 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.111.2 Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 (1981-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.112.2 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.1 Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism. ()
    14. ? 14.014.114.214.3 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    15. ? 15.015.115.215.315.4 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    16. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    17. ? Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (1994-00-00)
    18. ? Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)

    "image:Geum urbanum bgiu.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Geum_urbanum&oldid=77527"
    Facts about "Geum urbanum"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyRosaceae +
    Belongs to genusGeum +
    Has common nameWood Avens +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partUnknown part +, Leaves + and Root +
    Has edible useSeasoning +, Drink + and Unknown use +
    Has fertility typeSelf fertile +, Bee + and Self +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone6 +
    Has imageGeum urbanum bgiu.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useRepellent + and Tannin +
    Has mature height0.5 +
    Has mature width0.5 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAntiinflammatory +, Antiseptic +, Aromatic +, Astringent +, Diaphoretic +, Febrifuge +, Skin +, Stomachic +, Styptic + and Tonic +
    Has primary imageGeum urbanum bgiu.jpg +
    Has search namegeum urbanum + and x +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomy nameGeum urbanum +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +