Geum urbanum - Wood Avens

Family:	Rosaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.5
Width:	0.5
Synonyms:
Range:	Europe, including Britain, from Norway south and east to N. Africa, Siberia, Himalayas and W. Asia.

Geum urbanum (Wood Avens) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.5m and a width of 0.5m . It has a hardness rating of 6and is vunerable to frost.
Wood Avens will flower in December to February. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Bees, self

Soil Information

Wood Avens will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is / is important for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Wood Avens prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Wood Avens can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Woods, hedge banks, walls etc, usually on damp soils[9, 13].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Grows on a sunny edge
• Works within dappled Shade
• Grows in a shady edge
• Will grow in a hedge row
• In an East Wall

Cultivation Details

Easily grown in any moderately good garden soil that is well-drained[1]. Prefers shade[12, 21] and a soil rich in organic matter[200]. This species was widely cultivated as a pot-herb in the 16th century[5]. The bruised or dried root is pleasantly aromatic with a clove-like fragrance[245]. Plants self-sow freely when well-sited[238]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[200].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 3/5
Young leaves - cooked. Root - cooked. Used as a spice in soups, stews etc, and also as a flavouring in ale[4, 5, 8, 13, 183]. It is a substitute for cloves with a hint of cinnamon in the flavour[12, 74, 183]. It is best used in spring[12]. The root is also boiled to make a beverage[161]. The root is up to 5cm long[4].

• Condiment - the various plants that are used as flavourings, either as herbs, spices or condiments.
• Drink - not including plant saps, tea or coffee substitutes.
• Leaves -
• Root - includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 3/5
Wood avens is an astringent herb, used principally to treat problems affecting the mouth, throat and gastro-intestinal tract. It tightens up soft gums, heals mouth ulcers, makes a good gargle for infections of the pharynx and larynx, and reduces irritation of the stomach and gut[254]. All parts of the plant, but especially the root, are anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, aromatic, astringent, diaphoretic, febrifuge, stomachic, styptic and tonic[4, 9, 21, 165, 238]. An infusion is taken internally in the treatment of diarrhoea, intestinal disorders, stomach upsets, irritable bowel syndrome and liver disorders, it is also applied externally as a wash to haemorrhoids, vaginal discharges etc[238, 254] and to treat various skin afflictions - it is said to remove spots, freckles and eruptions from the face[4, 9]. The root is best harvested in the spring, since at this time it is most fragrant[4]. Much of the fragrance can be lost on drying, so the root should be dried with great care then stored in a cool dry place in an airtight container, being sliced and powdered only when required for use[4].

• Antiinflammatory - Reduces inflammation of joints, injuries etc.
• Antiseptic - Preventing sepsis, decay or putrefaction, it destroys or arrests the growth of micro-organisms.
• Aromatic - Having an agreeable odour and stimulant qualities.
• Astringent - Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.
• Diaphoretic - Induces perspiration.
• Febrifuge - Reduces fevers.
• Skin - Plants used in miscellaneous treatments for the skin.
• Stomachic - Aids and improves the action of the stomach.
• Styptic - An astringent that stops bleeding by contracting the blood vessels.
• Tonic - Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring or autumn in a cold frame[200]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer' Division in spring or autumn. This should be done every 3 - 4 years in order to maintain the vigour of the plant[200]. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Scented parts of the plants

Root : CrushedDried

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

The freshly dug root has a clove-like fragrance[4], when dried it is used in the linen cupboard to repel moths[4, 53]. The root contains about 9% tannin[4].

• Repellent - Plants that are said to deter but not necessarily kill various mammals, birds, insects etc.
• Tannin - An astringent substance obtaied from plants, it is used medicinally, as a dye and mordant, stabilizer in pesticide etc.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Flora of the British Isles.
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Author: Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Rating:
Publisher : A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
Date of Publication : 1962

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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