Wood Avens – Geum urbanum

Wood Avens (Geum urbanum), is sometimes known as Herb Bennet, Colewort and St. Benedict’s Herb and is part of the Rose family. It typically reaches a height of between 20 – 60cm ahd blooms between June and August. This plant often grows in shady places, for example woodlands and hedgerows.

Wood Avens produce a bright yellow flower with 5 petals. The stem is tough and has strong and sturdy roots, and its appearence is very open, but also looks scruffy / straggly . with the stem having a hairy and has a felt like texture.The flowers are usually 1 – 2 cm in diameter and have a strong scent which helps to attract insects such as bees. The seeds of this plant have burrs, this helps dristribution by attatching to the fur of animals that pass by. When the flowers appear, they form in loose cluster groups and onc flowered they are replaced by seed heads which are spiky with red hooks, this is what helps it to attach to the passing animals coats. Another benefit of this plant is that the root of it can often be used as a spice for soups and flavouring some Ales.

Height: 20 – 60cm
Flowering Time: November onwards
Preferred Conditions: This plant likes free draining, mildly acidic soil and will be found in semi shaded spots such as woodland edges and hedgerows.

Wod Avens - Geum urbanum