| Geum geniculatum | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Rosaceae |
| Genus: | Geum |
| Species: | G. geniculatum |
| Binomial name | |
| Geum geniculatum | |
Geum geniculatum is a species of flowering plant in the rose family known by the common name bent avens.[1] It is endemic to the southern Appalachian Mountains in the United States, where it occurs on only three mountains: Grandfather Mountain and Rich Mountain in North Carolina and Roan Mountain straddling the North Carolina-Tennessee border.[2][3]
Geum geniculatum is a perennial herb growing 50 to 70 centimeters (20-28 inches) tall. The three-parted leaves are 1 to 1.5 centimeters (0.4-0.6 inches) long. The clustered flowers have white, pinkish, or greenish[4] petals. Flowering occurs in July and August.[2] The flowers are likely pollinated by bumblebees and honeybees.[4][1]
This may be a relict species, limited in distribution to the peaks of three mountains where conditions are cool and wet enough for it to survive. It grows on moist boulder fields and streambanks.[4] It often grows in shady conditions in a thick herb layer with rhododendrons and other plants.[2]
There are only four known populations of this species, but where it grows it may be locally abundant.[2]
References
- 1 2 Flora of North America, Geum geniculatum Michaux, 1803. Bent avens
- 1 2 3 4 Geum geniculatum. The Nature Conservancy.
- ↑ Biota of North America Program 2014 county distribution map
- 1 2 3 Geum geniculatum. Archived 2011-10-26 at the Wayback Machine Center for Plant Conservation.
