Water avens (Geum rivale, 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 to Siberia and Iran, Subarctic America to N. & WC. U.S.A.

Description

Water avens, scientifically known as Geum rivale, is a perennial flowering plant belonging to the Rosaceae family. This elegant species is distributed across Europe, extending from Siberia to Iran, and can also be found in subarctic regions of North America, stretching to the northern and western parts of the United States.

Blooming in various habitats, Water avens typically flourish in damp meadows, along stream banks, and in marshlands. The plant’s preference for moist environments makes it a frequent resident in wetlands and other areas where water is abundant.

Characterized by its nodding, bell-shaped flowers, Water avens showcase a subtle and delicate beauty. The flowers, which usually appear in late spring to early summer, are composed of reddish-purple to pinkish sepals that contrast strikingly with their creamy-yellow to pale pink petals. These intricate blooms are borne on slender stalks, swaying gently in the breeze and adding a touch of charm to their surroundings.

The plant’s foliage is equally notable. The leaves are pinnate, featuring several rounded leaflets with toothed edges. These leaflets provide a lush green backdrop that complements the scenic beauty of Water avens’ flowers.

Ecologically, Water avens play an important role in supporting local wildlife. The flowers attract a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies, which are crucial for the ecosystem. Additionally, their habitat preferences help stabilize soil in riparian areas, reducing erosion and promoting water quality.

First described in 1753 by Carl Linnaeus in “Species Plantarum,” Water avens have since become a subject of interest not only for their aesthetic appeal but also for their ecological significance. In garden settings, they are appreciated for their ability to thrive in shaded and moisture-rich conditions, making them a valuable addition to gardens that mimic their natural habitats.

In summary, Geum rivale, or Water avens, is a graceful and ecologically beneficial plant that enriches both natural landscapes and cultivated gardens with its charming flowers and vital role in supporting pollinators.

Common Names

Deu: bach-nelkenwurz, bachnelkenwurz
Dan: eng-nellikerod
Eng: purple avens, water avens, chocolate root
Fra: benoîte des ruisseaux, benoîte pourpre
Nor: botsmands-buxer, botsmands-græs, carvefollata, tør-ild, tørill
Nob: enghumleblom
Nno: enghumleblom
Swe: humleblomster, ojakellukka
Nld: knikkend nagelkruid
Fin: ojakellukka
Sme: niitobiellorássi, uvlorássi
Cym: afans, llys f’anwylyd, mabcoll, mabgoll glan y dŵr, mabgoll yr afon, mapgoll clan y dŵr, mapgoll glan y dŵr
Gla: machall uisge
En: Water avens, Purple avens, Chocolate root, Billy’s Button, Drooping Avens, Indian Chocolate, Nodding Avens
Hy: Շոհոքրամ գետային
Az: Çay çınqılotu
Bg: Ручейно омайниче
Zh: Zi e lu bian qing, 紫萼路边青
Kw: Lesbenigys an dowr
Cs: Kuklík potoční
Da: Eng-Nellikerod
Nl: Knikkend nagelkruid
Et: Ojamõõl
Fi: Ojakellukka
Fr: Benoîte des ruisseaux, Benoîte pourpre, Benoîte aquatique
De: Bach-Nelkenwurz, Bachnelkenwurz
Hu: Bókoló gyömbérgyökér
Is: Fjalldalafífill
Ga: Macall uisce
It: Cariofillata dei rivi
Lt: Raudonoji žiognagė
Se: Niitobiellorássi, Uvlorássi
No: Enghumleblom, Botsmands-buxer, Botsmands-græs, Carvefollata, Tør-ild, Tørill
Nb: Enghumleblom
Nn: Enghumleblom
Fa: علف مبارک رونده
Pl: Kuklik zwisły
Ru: Гравилат речной
Gd: Machall uisge
Sk: Kuklík potočný
Es: Potočna sretena
Sv: Humleblomster, Ojakellukka
Zh-tw: 紫萼路邊青
Zh-hant: 紫萼路邊青
Uk: Гравілат річковий
Cy: Mapgoll glan y dŵr, Afans, Llys F’Anwylyd, Mabcoll, Mabgoll Glan y Dŵr, Mabgoll yr Afon, Mapgoll Clan y Dŵr

Synonyms

• Geum hybridum (Wulfen ex Jacq.)
• Caryophyllata rivalis ((L.) Scop.)
• Caryophyllata prolifera (Gilib.)
• Geum rivale var. subalpinum ((Neuman) Selander)
• Geum rivale f. typicum (Buia)
• Geum rivale subsp. subalpinum ((Neuman) Selander)
• Geum rivale f. subalpinum (Neuman)
• Geum rivale subvar. strictum ((Norman) Asch. & Graebn.)
• Geum rivale var. strictum (Norman)
• Geum rivale var. proliferum (Ser.)
• Geum rafinesqueanum (Steud.)
• Geum rivale var. pallidum ((Fisch. & C.A.Mey.) A.Blytt)
• Geum rivale monstrosum (Hagenb.)
• Geum rivale var. minus (Ser.)
• Geum rivale var. luxurians (Tratt.)
• Geum rivale var. lividum (Chitr.)
• Geum rivale f. hispanicum (Pau)
• Geum pictum (Scheutz)
• Geum nutans (Raf.)
• Geum rivale var. alpinum (Schur)
• Bernoullia rivalis ((L.) Raf.)
• Geum rivale ambiguum (Peterm.)
• Anemone decaphilla (Krock.)
• Anemone decapetala (J.F.Gmel.)
• Geum rivale f. alpinum ((Schur) Buia)
• Anemone dodecaphilla (Krock.)
• Caryophyllata aquatica (Lam.)
• Geum rivale subvar. humile (Asch. & Graebn.)
• Bernoullia nutans ((Raf.) Raf.)
• Geum rivale subvar. grandifolium (Asch. & Graebn.)
• Geum rivale var. grandiflorum (Gray)
• Potentilla nutans (Gueldenst.)
• Geum rivale var. nemorale (H.Post)
• Geum rivale var. hybridum (Gaudin)
• Geum rivale var. asperum (Pawł.)
• Geum rivale var. grandifolium (Scheutz)
• Geum rivale var. degeneratum (Baumg. ex Schur)
• Geum pallidum (Fisch. & C.A.Mey.)
• Bernoullia hybrida (Raf.)
• Geum incisum (Dumort.)
• Geum rivale subsp. islandicum (Á.Löve & D.Löve)
• Geum rivale f. interstylosum (W.F.Christ.)
• Geum rivale var. leonardii (Bergmans)
• Caryophyllata nutans (Lam.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Alberta (native)
• Altay (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Føroyar (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Iceland (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Iran (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Labrador (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Montana (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• New York (native)
• Newfoundland (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North Dakota (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Nunavut (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Poland (native)
• Prince Edward I. (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• Romania (native)
• South Dakota (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Washington (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• West Virginia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Wyoming (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Fruit

Taken May 21, 2018 by Gym Skuteč (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 6, 2021 by margarida vila (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 6, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 6, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 9, 2018 by Frigerio Aurora (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken May 19, 2020 by Frances Bennett (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 14, 2019 by Alvaro Delgado (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 21, 2020 by Pjotr Outland (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 3, 2020 by Mariken Lorie (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 2, 2019 by Aneta Mazancova (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 19, 2022 by Manuëlle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 12, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 20, 2021 by Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 24, 2020 by Alex Harrer (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 6, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Apr 12, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 12, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 21, 2020 by Denis Bastianelli (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 27, 2020 by alchemIlla (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 6, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 7, 2021 by Jakob Schäfer (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 12, 2022 by Ghelmer Korteling (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 16, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2019 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 21, 2020 by Denis Bastianelli (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jun 20, 2022 by Vera Adiantum (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 6, 2021 by Erika schneider (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 2, 2016 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 2, 2016 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 25, 2020 by Agente Medioambiental (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:725355-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5369701)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Geum rivale L.)

Specifications

Growth form: Single Crown

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth rate: Moderate

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.0

Ph minimum: 4.8

Light: 5

Atmospheric humidity: 8

Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’]

Soil nutriments: 7