Alpine avens (Geum montanum, Sp. Pl.: 501 (1753))

Family: Rosaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 501 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Geum

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe

Description

Alpine avens, scientifically known as Geum montanum, is a perennial herbaceous plant that belongs to the Rosaceae family. This resilient species is renowned for its ability to thrive in the challenging conditions of mountainous regions across Europe. First documented by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum” published in 1753, Alpine avens has continued to captivate botanists and nature enthusiasts alike.

Characterized by its vibrant yellow flowers that bring a burst of color to rocky alpine meadows, Geum montanum is an important component of high-altitude floral biodiversity. The plant typically reaches a height of 10-30 cm, featuring pinnate leaves that form a basal rosette. Its flowers, which bloom from early summer to late autumn, are not only visually striking but also play a crucial role in supporting pollinators, including bees and butterflies.

Adapted to survive in the harsh climates of its native habitats, Alpine avens exhibits remarkable tenacity against wind, cold, and poor soil conditions. Its deep root system anchors it firmly into the rocky substrate, allowing it to access nutrients and moisture that other plants may struggle to obtain. This makes Geum montanum an excellent candidate for alpine and rock gardens, where its hardiness and aesthetic appeal can be fully appreciated.

In addition to its ecological significance, Alpine avens has also been used in traditional remedies for its potential medicinal properties. However, such uses are less common today, as the plant is more cherished for its contribution to natural beauty and ecological stability in Europe’s mountainous landscapes.

Overall, Geum montanum stands as a testament to the resilience and adaptability of alpine flora, symbolizing the delicate yet enduring beauty of Europe’s high-altitude ecosystems.

Common Names

Deu: berg-nelkenwurz
Swe: bergnejlikrot
En: Alpine Avens, Avens
Bg: Планинско омайниче
Ca: Gèum montanyenc
Zh: 山地路边青
Cs: Kuklík horský
Nl: Bergnagelkruid
Fi: Vuorikellukka
Fr: Benoîte des montagnes
De: Berg-Nelkenwurz, Gemeine Berg-Nelkenwurz
It: Cariofillata montana
Pl: Kuklik górski
Ro: Mărțișor
Sk: Kuklica horská
Sv: Bergnejlikrot
Zh-tw: 山地路边青
: Alpine avens

Synonyms

• Geum micropetalum (Gasp.)
• Geum montanum submultiflorum (Tausch)
• Bernoullia montana ((L.) Neck. ex Raf.)
• Geum montanum subsp. ovalifolium (Pénzes)
• Geum montanum f. typicum (Buia)
• Geum montanum var. superbum (Bergmans)
• Oreogeum montanum ((L.) E.I.Golubk.)
• Sieversia montana var. nana (Heer)
• Sieversia montana var. micrantha (Heer)
• Parageum montanum ((L.) Nakai & H.Hara)
• Geum ovaliforme (Pénzes)
• Geum montanum var. minus (Pers.)
• Geum montanum var. multicaule (Ser.)
• Geum montanum f. minus ((Pers.) Buia)
• Geum montanum var. nanum (Gaudin)
• Geum montanum f. multicaule ((Ser.) Buia)
• Geum montanum subsp. eumontanum (Pénzes)
• Geum montanum elatius (Ducommun)
• Geum montanum f. caulescens ((Briq.) Buia)
• Geum montanum subvar. caulescens (Briq.)
• Geum geminiflorum ((Borbás) Bolle)
• Geum alpinum (Mill.)
• Geum montanum f. nanum ((Gaudin) Bolzon)
• Geum montanum var. grandiflorum (Bergmans)
• Geum montanum var. geminiflorum (Borbás)
• Caryophyllata montana ((L.) Scop.)
• Sieversia montana f. submultiflora ((Borbás) Soó)
• Sieversia montana f. caulescens ((Briq.) Schinz & R.Keller)
• Sieversia montana ((L.) R.Br.)
• Bernoullia acaulis (Raf.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Austria (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Greece (native)
• Italy (native)
• Poland (native)
• Romania (native)
• Spain (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)

Additional Images

Fruit

Taken Jul 29, 2021 by Landjerit Florence (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 24, 2021 by Mireille Bernardin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 25, 2020 by cecile chillet (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 4, 2018 by Benedicte Reau (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 3, 2017 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 15, 2012 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 8, 2009 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 21, 2021 by Elisabeth Ellu (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2013 by Tela Botanica − David HAPPE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 3, 2017 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jul 17, 2020 by Paul Vonasek (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 8, 2022 by Falk Nebe (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 31, 2020 by Christian Escallier (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2006 by Reinhard Bachmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 30, 2018 by alieno.fi (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jul 2, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 5, 2021 by Alvaro Delgado (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 16, 2021 by Emanuele Santarelli (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 5, 2021 by Jutta Kemmer (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 13, 2013 by Lennart Agestam (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jul 6, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Geneviève Botti (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 2, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 1, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Alain BIGOU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 16, 2021 by Emanuele Santarelli (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 13, 2013 by Lennart Agestam (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 24, 2011 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 19, 2017 by Gianluca Comba (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 5, 2021 by Nils Anthelme (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 4, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 2, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5369806)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:324725-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Geum montanum L.)

Specifications

Growth

Ph maximum: 4.5

Ph minimum: 4.0

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 6

Bloom months: [‘jul’, ‘aug’]

Soil nutriments: 2