Overview
Geum vernum is a low perennial of eastern North American woodlands, forming a basal rosette of lobed or divided leaves and sending up branched, hairy flowering stems 8-24 inches (20-60 cm) tall. The basal leaves are variable, often with a large rounded terminal lobe and smaller side lobes, while the stem leaves are smaller and three-parted. From mid-spring it bears small five-petaled flowers about 0.2-0.3 inch (5-8 mm) across, with pale yellow petals that scarcely exceed the green sepals, held in loose few-flowered clusters. As the flowers fade, the receptacle develops into a rounded head of dry seeds, each tipped with a hooked style 0.1 inch (2-3 mm) long that catches on fur and clothing to spread the seed. G. vernum grows in moist to mesic woods, floodplains, thickets, and shaded disturbed ground, often in rich soil over limestone. It spreads readily by its clinging seeds and can colonize disturbed areas. The small, inconspicuous flowers give it little floral display, and it is grown more for woodland ground cover and habitat value than for bloom.
Native Range
Geum vernum is native to central and eastern North America, ranging from the Great Lakes and Ontario south to the Gulf states and west to the eastern Great Plains. It grows in moist woodlands, floodplain forests, thickets, and shaded disturbed ground, often over limestone.Suggested Uses
G. vernum is used as a woodland ground cover, in native shade gardens, and in naturalized floodplain and rain-garden plantings where its early foliage and seed heads support woodland habitat. It knits shaded soil and tolerates periodic flooding. Its small flowers make it a foliage and habitat plant rather than a floral feature.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height8" - 2'
Width/Spread8" - 1'
Bloom Information
G. vernum flowers in mid to late spring, roughly April through June, with small pale yellow blooms opening a few at a time on branched stems. The flowers are visited by small bees and flies. Hooked seed heads follow through early summer and disperse by clinging to passing animals.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
GreenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 2-6 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight