White Avens

(Geum canadense)

White Avens (Geum canadense Jacq.)

Identification: Flowers white with 5 broad petals and numerous greenish stamens. Sepals long, narrow, and pointed, alternating with the petals, and usually exceeding the petals in length. Flowers solitary or in small, branched clusters near the top of the plant. Seedpod with stiff bristles. Stem hairy. Upper leaves single, relatively small, coarsely toothed. Lower leaves with 3 leaflets, coarsely toothed and irregularly cut. Plant 18 to 30 inches in height.

Distribution: Minnesota in the west to Nova Scotia in the east, southward to Georgia and Texas. Also occurs in the Prairie States and provinces.

Habitat: White Avens is found in thickets and in openings in woodlands.

Flowering period: June to August.

Similar Species: White Avens is similar to Rough Avens. Rough Avens is a hairier plant. The upper leaves are larger and much more likely to have 3 leaflets. The leaflets of the lower leaves tend to be round without sharp teeth.