Ontario Wildflowers website

Wood Avens
Geum urbanum

Wood Avens (Geum urbanum) Other common names: Cloveroot

Family: Rose Family (Rosaceae)

Group: Avens

Distinctive features: Large stipules surround the stems (stipules are small leaf-like structures). These distinguish it from Yellow Avens (Geum aleppicum).

Similar species:
  •   Catlings Avens (Geum X catlingii) - Paler yellow and sparser flowers.

  •   White Avens (Geum canadense) - White flowers.

  •   Yellow Avens (Geum aleppicum) - Stipules do not surround the stem. Also the stems are stouter.

  •   Water Avens (Geum rivale) - Flowers are very different.

Flowers: Summer;  Yellow;  5 parts (petals)

Leaves: Alternate, Toothed

Habitat: Forests

Native/Non-native: Non-native

Notes: This is a very invasive non-native plant. Pull it up if you find it in your garden, or else it will spread quickly. The large stipules distinguish this species from Yellow Avens (Geum aleppicum).

Photographs: 38 photographs available, of which 5 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.

Range Map is at the bottom of the page

Wood Avens (Geum urbanum)

This shows the large stipules that surround the stems. This is an important distinguishing feature of Wood Avens.

Wood Avens (Geum urbanum)

Another view of a stipule, of slightly different form.

Wood Avens (Geum urbanum)

A comparison of the leaves from Wood Avens (left) and Yellow Avens (Geum aleppicum) (right). Again, note the difference in the stipules.

Wood Avens (Geum urbanum)

Flower.

Wood Avens (Geum urbanum)

Seeds forming.


Range map for Wood Avens (Geum urbanum)

PLEASE NOTE: A coloured Province or State means this species occurs somewhere in that Province/State.
The entire Province/State is coloured, regardless of where in that Province/State it occurs.

(Range map provided courtesy of the USDA website and is displayed here in accordance with their Policies)