Geum urbanum aka Wood Avens

Geum urbanum is a perennial in the rose family. Its names include wood avens, herb bennet, and clove root. Its native range spans Europe, central Asia, Iran, and northwest Africa. It is native to Britain and Ireland. This temperate plant grows in woods, scrub, and hedges. It also grows beside walls, often in damp, rich soil.

Hairy stems rise from leafy rosettes that last through winter. The green leaves have three or five rounded lobes. The end lobe is the largest. Plants form upright, bushy clumps. Chicago Botanic Garden gives a height of 1–2 feet [0.3–0.6 m]. The RHS gives 1.6–3.3 feet [0.5–1 m]. Its listed spread reaches 1.6 feet [0.5 m]. Plants take two to five years to reach full size.

The flower stems nod before the yellow blooms open. Each bloom is simple and looks like a small strawberry flower. The RHS gives flower widths of 0.2–0.8 inches. Chicago records flowering from late May to mid-July. Its bloom chart extends the season into August. The RHS reports flowers from May into late autumn. Rounded fruit clusters carry red hooks. These catch on people and animals, which spread the seeds. The flowers also draw butterflies.

Partial shade suits this plant, though Chicago also lists full sun. It grows in chalk, clay, loam, and sand. It accepts acid, neutral, and alkaline soils. Moist soil with good drainage suits garden growth. The RHS rates its cold hardiness as H7. Chicago lists USDA zones 5–9. It fits woodland edges, shady wildlife gardens, meadows, and borders. It needs no pruning and seldom suffers pests or disease. Seeds can be sown in autumn, and plants seed themselves freely.

PFAF lists cooked young leaves and roots as edible. The root can season soups, stews, and ale. Its taste recalls cloves with a trace of cinnamon. Boiled roots also make a drink. PFAF reports no known hazards, but this does not establish pet safety. It records traditional medicinal uses for mouth, throat, and gut complaints. These records do not prove that treatments work. Fresh roots have a clove scent. Dried roots have been used to deter moths among stored linen. The roots also contain tannin.