Geum geniculatum

Geum geniculatum

Critically Imperiled  (NatureServe)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Geum
Species: G. geniculatum
Binomial name
Geum geniculatum
Michx.

Geum geniculatum is a species of flowering plant in the rose family known by the common name bent avens.[1] It is endemic to the southern Appalachian Mountains in the United States, where it occurs on only three mountains: Grandfather Mountain and Rich Mountain in North Carolina and Roan Mountain straddling the North Carolina-Tennessee border.[2][3]

Geum geniculatum is a perennial herb growing 50 to 70 centimeters (20-28 inches) tall. The three-parted leaves are 1 to 1.5 centimeters (0.4-0.6 inches) long. The clustered flowers have white, pinkish, or greenish[4] petals. Flowering occurs in July and August.[2] The flowers are likely pollinated by bumblebees and honeybees.[4][1]

This may be a relict species, limited in distribution to the peaks of three mountains where conditions are cool and wet enough for it to survive. It grows on moist boulder fields and streambanks.[4] It often grows in shady conditions in a thick herb layer with rhododendrons and other plants.[2]

There are only four known populations of this species, but where it grows it may be locally abundant.[2]

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