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Yellow avens

Geum aleppicum

Family: Rosaceae Genus: Geum Species: aleppicum

Synonyms: Geum aleppicum subvar. dissectum, Geum aleppicum subvar. hirsutum, Geum besseri, Geum intermedium, Geum besserianum, Geum aleppicum f. plenum, Geum aleppicum f. aurantiacoplenum, Geum strictum var. dissectum, Geum strictum var. rugosum, Geum strictum var. hirsutum, Geum strictum subsp. intermedium, Geum strictum, Geum ranunculoides, Geum rugosum, Geum aleppicum var. glabricaule, Geum potaninii, Geum fischeri, Geum aleppicum f. glabricaule, Geum glabricaule, Geum gajewskii, Geum strictum var. bipinnatum, Geum aleppicum var. bipinnatum, Geum aleppicum subvar. rugosum, Geum decurrens, Geum giganteum, Geum aleppicum var. decurrens, Geum aleppicum subsp. strictum, Geum aleppicum var. strictum, Geum strictum var. decurrens, Geum heterophyllum var. elongatum

Yellow avens (en)
Geum aleppicum — flower
Geum aleppicum — flower

Western Herbalism Properties

Actions:
astringent

Botanical Description

Geum aleppicum, yellow avens, is an erect perennial herb in the family Rosaceae with a wide circumboreal distribution across temperate North America, Europe, and northern Asia, inhabiting moist meadows, stream banks, forest edges, and roadsides. Plants typically grow 40–100 cm tall from a stout, scaly rhizome, with hairy, branched stems above. Basal leaves are large, pinnately compound with a terminal leaflet much larger than the lateral pairs, and reach 10–30 cm long; cauline leaves are smaller, three-parted to deeply lobed, with conspicuous leafy stipules. The bright yellow, five-petalled flowers are 1.5–2 cm across, with reflexed sepals and numerous stamens, borne on long, slender pedicels in a loose terminal cyme. After flowering, the styles persist on the achenes, elongate, and develop a distinctive hooked tip — these spiny burs cling to fur and clothing and aid dispersal. The fruiting head is a globose, prickly cluster of many achenes.

Native Region: Alaska, Alberta, Altay, Amur, Arizona, Baltic States, Belarus, British Columbia, Buryatiya, California, Central European Rus, China North-Central, China South-Central, China Southeast, Chita, Colorado, Connecticut, East European Russia, East Himalaya, Hungary, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Inner Mongolia, Iowa, Irkutsk, Japan, Kazakhstan, Khabarovsk, Kirgizstan, Korea, Krasnoyarsk, Kuril Is., Magadan, Maine, Manchuria, Manitoba, Maryland, Masachusettes, Mexico Central, Mexico Northeast, Michigan, Minnesota, Mongolia, Montana, Nebraska, New Brunswick, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Caucasus, North Dakota, North European Russi, Northwest European R, Northwest Territorie, Nova Scotia, Ohio, Ontario, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Poland, Primorye, Prince Edward I., Québec, Rhode I., Romania, Sakhalin, Saskatchewan, South Dakota, South European Russi, Tennessee, Tibet, Transcaucasus, Tuva, Utah, Uzbekistan, Vermont, Vietnam, Virginia, Washington, West Himalaya, West Siberia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Xinjiang, Yakutskiya, Yugoslavia, Yukon

Cultural & Historical Context

Traditional American Uses

Yellow avens was widely used as medicine across the boreal and northeastern regions. Woodlands Cree, Iroquois, Malecite, Ojibwa, and Micmac people prepared infusions and decoctions of the root for coughs, lung complaints, sore throats, and as a pediatric remedy, as well as for toothache, fevers, diarrhoea, and convulsions (Leighton, 1985; Herrick, 1977; Smith, 1932; Speck and Dexter, 1951). The plant was also used as a diaphoretic and panacea and applied as a love medicine and veterinary remedy.

Chemistry & External Identifiers

Trefle ID
263321

Important Disclaimer

This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.

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