Geum canadense
Jacq.
White avens
(c) Seabrooke Leckie, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Seabrooke Leckie
(c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman
(c) thesnaguy, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), uploaded by thesnaguy
What to Eat
Edible parts: Roots
The boiled roots can be used as a chocolate substitute. Roots gathered in spring before the plant comes into growth are also used as a flavouring and preservative in ale.
Where to Find It
It is a temperate plant.
North America, USA,
How to Identify
Geum canadense is a hardy perennial reaching 0.8 m tall. It flowers from July to August and thrives in light, medium, or heavy soils with good drainage. This hermaphrodite species tolerates mildly acidic to basic pH levels and grows in semi-shade or full sun in moist conditions. Hardy to UK zone 3.
How to Grow
Easily grown in any moderately good garden soil that is well-drained. Prefers a soil rich in organic matter. Plants are hardy to at least -15°c. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus.
Propagation: Sow seed in spring or autumn in a cold frame. Once seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots and plant out during summer. Divide clumps in spring or autumn, ideally every 3–4 years to maintain plant vigour. Larger clumps can go directly into permanent positions, but smaller ones are best potted up and grown on in a cold frame until well rooted, then planted out in spring.
Medicinal Uses
None known
Other Uses
None known
Wikipedia
Source ↗Geum canadense, the white avens, is a plant in the rose family, Rosaceae. It is widespread across much of Canada, the United States, and Mexico. It readily hybridizes with the introduced Geum urbanum. The hybrid is named Geum × catlingii J.-P. Bernard & R. Gauthier.
References (3)
- Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 199
- Hort. bot. Vindob. 2:82. 1772-1773
- Morton,
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