Geum rivale

14 May

Geum rivale Flower (05/05/2012, Kew, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Late spring to summer

Soil: Moist, wet

Eventual Height: 60cm

Eventual Spread: 60cm

Hardiness: 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b

Family: Rosaceae

Geum rivale is a rhizomatous, deciduous, herbaceous perennial. Its leaves are pinnately lobed, alternately compound, occurring primarily along the lower half of each hairy stem, the lower leaves have up to 7 leaflets, while the sessile upper leaves have 3 leaflets, they are coarsely serrated, slightly hairy and roughly textured. Its hermaphrodite flowers are borne on the upper stems and terminate in cymes of flowers, the branches of each cyme are dark purple and hairy. Each flower has pale purple petals and 5 dark purple ovate sepals with numerous stamens with yellow anthers, numerous pistils in the centre and is up to 15cm across. Its fruits are nutlets. Its root system is fibrous and rhizomatous which enables the slow spread of this plant.

Geum rivale, commonly known as Indian Chocolate Root, Nodding Avens, Drooping Avens, Water Flower and Water Avens, is native to much of Europe (including the UK), with the exception of Mediterranean areas, some parts of Central Asia and North America. In its native habitat it is found in boggy, shady areas, stream and pond edges and damp deciduous woodlands.

The etymological root of the binomial name Geum is derived from the Greek, geuo, ‘to give an agreeable flavour to taste’, in reference to the root of some species being aromatic. Rivale is derived from the Latin rivulus ‘rivulet’ or ‘small brook’, in reference to where it is commonly found.