Large-leaved Avens (Geum macrophyllum var. macrophyllum)

Life history

Species overview

Large-leaved Avens (Geum macrophyllum var. macrophyllum), a Wisconsin Special Concern plant, is found in moist woods, thickets, and rocky ledges and openings, sometimes weedy. Blooming occurs early May through mid-August; fruiting occurs early June through mid-September. The optimal identification period for this species is early June through mid-August.

Synonyms: None

Identification

• Distinguishing characteristics: Distinguished from other Geum species by having a glabrous receptacle. Distinguished from Geum laciniatum by having pedicels closely puberelent rather than spreading pubescence and by having beak of achene with short-stalked glands. Distinguished from Geum macrophyllum var. perincisum by having less dissected leaves with the terminal leaflet of the middle stem leaves 3-cleft to about the middle and with the lobes merely toothed.
• Flower characteristics: Petals yellow, 4 to 7 mm, somewhat exceeding the sepals; style with basal segment slightly glandular, the terminal segment minutely hairy.
• Fruit characteristics: Achenes minutely hairy throughout, with coarse, stiff hairs about the summit, beak with short-stalked glands; receptacle glabrous.
• Leaf characteristics: Leaves large; basal leaves with long petioles, the terminal segment rotund to kidney-shaped, 5 to 12 cm wide, often with 3 lobes; lateral leaves few and much smaller, interspersed with several to many minute leaflets; upper leaves short-petioled to sessile, deeply 3-lobed or 3-foliolate.

Phenology

• Blooming phenology: early May through mid-August
• Fruiting phenology: early June through mid-September
• Optimum time to identify: The optimal identification period for this species is early June through mid-August

Other

• Growth form: Forb-erect
• Vegetative reproduction:
• Life cycle: Perennial
• Comments: Associated Species: Agropyron repens, Calamagrostis canadensis, Carex spp., Eupatorium maculatum, Galium spp., Impatiens spp., Leersia oryzoides, Lycopus americanus, Onoclea sensibilis, Phalaris arundinacea, Polygonum sagittatum, Scirpus spp.,

State status

Status and Natural Heritage Inventory documented occurrences in Wisconsin

The table below provides information about the protected status - state and federal - and the rank (S and G Ranks) for Large-leaved Avens (Geum macrophyllum var. macrophyllum). See the Working List Key for more information about abbreviations. Counties shaded blue have documented occurrences for this species in the Wisconsin Natural Heritage Inventory database. The map is provided as a general reference of where this species has been found to date and is not meant as a range map.

Habitats and landscapes

The Natural Heritage Inventory has developed scores indicating the degree to which each of Wisconsin's rare plant species is associated with a particular natural community or ecological landscape. This information is similar to that found in the Wildlife Action Plan for animals. As this is a work in progress, we welcome your suggestions and feedback.

General habitat information

• Habitat description: Found in moist woods, thickets, and rocky ledges and openings, sometimes weedy.
• Soils: Moist or rocky soils.

Natural communities

This table lists the natural communities that are associated with Large-leaved Avens. Scores for natural community associations are: "significant" association (score=3), "moderate association" (score=2) or the species can be present but is only weakly associated with the community (score=1).

Ecological landscapes

This table lists the ecological landscape association scores for Large-leaved Avens. The scores (3=High, 2=Moderate, 1=Low, 0=None) also correspond to the map.

Species guidance

The Endangered Resources Program has developed avoidance measures and management guidelines for plants on the Natural Heritage Working List. These are a work in progress, and we welcome your suggestions and feedback. Sources used in developing this information can be found here.

Avoidance measures

These are specific actions designed to avoid "take" (mortality) of this species.

• Avoid broadcast spraying of herbicides; use care with spot spraying.
• Avoid known individual plant locations and conduct operations elsewhere when they are least likely to cause damage. Ideally, this would involve frozen, snow-covered ground. However, in areas of the state where frozen conditions are unreliable, very dry soils late in the growing season might be the best available alternative. Consult with a biologist, if needed.

Management guidance

Management guidelines are additional considerations that may help maintain or enhance habitat for this species

• Maintain and restore open habitat through selective clearing and brushing.
• Minimize disturbance to hydrology, including soil disturbance from rutting.

Other resources

Links to additional Large-leaved Avens information

Other links related to vascular plants (all exit the DNR website)

• Wisconsin Flora
• NatureServe Explorer
• Atlas of Wisconsin Prairie and Savanna Flora - Wisconsin State Herbarium
• USDA - NRCS Plants Database
• USGS Midwestern Wetland Flora - field office guide to plant species
• eFloras
• Cofrin Center for Biodiversity Herbarium
• Intermountain Herbarium Grasses of North America
• Orchids of Wisconsin

Photos

Click to view a larger version. Please considering donating a photo to the Natural Heritage Conservation Program for educational uses. Photo use