Wood Avens is a
native
perennial plant of the UK, typically found growing in woodland, hedgerows and gardens, to a mature height of up to 50cm.
Wood Avens is an erect plant, with most of its leaves growing from a rosette near the base, and its flowers borne singly on branching stems at the top of the plant. The leaves are mostly pinnate, with oppositely-paired leaflets and terminating in a three-lobed leaflet. The rose-like flowers have separated, rounded petals with a star-shaped calyx visible between the petals. After pollination, the flowers develop into burred seed heads, which catch in animal fur to aid seed dispersal.
Botanic classification and naming: Wood Avens is a member of the Rose (Rosaceae) family. The genus name
'Geum' identifies the plant as a Avens and its species name 'urbanum' means 'urban plant'.
Concerns: Wood Avens is difficult to control owing to its tough, well-anchored roots.
Benefits: Food source for caterpillars of the Grizzled Skipper butterfly and Riband Wave moth.
Benefits to wildlife are also indicated with orange icons in the plant profile bar at the top.
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