ExplorePlants

Wood Avens

Geum urbanum

Wood Avens is a lovely plant with bright yellow flowers. It grows in shady places like forests and is known for its sweet-smelling leaves. Kids love to discover it while exploring nature!

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Wood Avens has small, bright yellow, five-petaled flowers that often face downwards on slender stems. Its basal leaves are deeply lobed and crinkly, forming a rosette, while stem leaves are smaller and three-lobed. Its bristly seed-heads resemble tiny burrs.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderRosalesFamilyRosaceaeGenusGeum
Wood Avens
aromatic trait badgedeciduous trait badgeflowering trait badgeshade_tolerant trait badge
Wood Avens

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

If you sniff its crushed roots, they release a distinctive, spicy aroma.

Its roots were once used as a spice substitute for expensive cloves!

Medieval monks used Wood Avens to ward off evil spirits, believing it had magic powers!

This plant is also called 'Herb Bennet', a name from old European folklore.

Special abilities

Ability

Velcro Seeds

Wood Avens has tiny hooks on its seeds that cling to animal fur, helping them travel far and wide for new homes.

Ability

Spicy Roots

Wood Avens can produce a fragrant oil in its roots that smells like cloves, often used to flavor drinks.

Ability

Shade Survivor

Wood Avens can grow happily in many shady spots, adapting well to different woodland and hedgerow conditions.

Measurements & details

Height
30-75 cm
Spread
30-45 cm
Flower Size
1-2 cm
Bloom Season
Late spring to late summer
Edible
Yes
Toxicity
None
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

Honeybee

Apis mellifera

Collects nectar and pollen.

pollinates

Buff-tailed Bumblebee

Bombus terrestris

Visits flowers for nectar.

eaten by

Roe Deer

Capreolus capreolus

Browses on its leaves.

eaten by

Black Slug

Arion ater

Feeds on its foliage.

Traits

Also known as

Herb Bennet

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always ask an adult before touching or tasting any plants.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is Wood Avens?

30-75 cm

How wide does Wood Avens spread?

30-45 cm

How big are the flowers on Wood Avens?

1-2 cm

When does Wood Avens bloom?

Late spring to late summer

Is Wood Avens edible?

Yes

Is Wood Avens toxic?

None

What is Wood Avens's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is Wood Avens pollinated?

Insect

Snap Map

Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.

Loading map…

Recent Snaps

Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.

Where to spot

More Plants