We depend on donations from users of our database of over 8000 edible and useful plants to keep making it available free of charge and to further extend and improve it. In recent months donations are down, and we are spending more than we receive. Please give what you can to keep PFAF properly funded. More >>>

Follow Us:

 

Geum triflorum - Pursh.

Common Name Purple Avens, Old man's whiskers, Prairie Smoke
Family Rosaceae
USDA hardiness 1-5
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Damp places and mountain screes[187].
Range N. America - Newfoundland and New York, west to British Columbia and south to California.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Geum triflorum Purple Avens, Old man


Geum triflorum Purple Avens, Old man
biolib.de

 

Translate this page:

Summary

Bloom Color: Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early summer. Form: Spreading or horizontal, Variable spread.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Geum triflorum is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 1. It is in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts:
Edible Uses: Tea

A decoction of the roots is a tea substitute[183, 257]. It tastes like a weak sassafras tea[212]. A brew was used in Indian sweat houses as a body wash for aches and pains[207].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Ophthalmic  Salve  Tonic

A strong decoction of the roots is used as a tonic in the treatment of severe coughs and fevers[207, 257]. This decoction can also be used as an eye wash and as a mouth wash for sore throats[213, 257]. An infusion of the roots, mixed with oil, can be applied as a salve to sores, rashes, blisters and flesh wounds[257]. An infusion can also be used as a wash for aching joints, stiff sore muscles etc[257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

Now available: PLANTS FOR YOUR FOOD FOREST: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens.

An important new book from PFAF. It focuses on the attributes of plants suitable for food forests, what each can contribute to a food forest ecosystem, including carbon sequestration, and the kinds of foods they yield. The book suggests that community and small-scale food forests can provide a real alternative to intensive industrialised agriculture, and help to combat the many inter-related environmental crises that threaten the very future of life on Earth.

Read More

FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

Essential

The crushed ripe seeds are used as a perfume[207, 257].

Special Uses

Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Ground cover. Easily grown in any moderately good garden soil that is well-drained[1]. Prefers a soil rich in organic matter[200]. Prefers a rather damp soil[187]. Plants are hardy to about -20°c[187]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[200]. Special Features:Attractive foliage, North American native, Suitable for cut flowers.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

image

The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

Shop Now

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.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Geum aleppicumYellow AvensPerennial0.6 3-7  LMHSNM12 
Geum canadenseWhite Avens, Texan avensPerennial0.8 3-7  LMHSNM20 
Geum japonicum Perennial0.6 6-9  LMHSNM12 
Geum pentapetalumAleutian avensShrub0.2 7-10  LMHSNMWe02 
Geum rivaleWater Avens, Purple avensPerennial0.3 3-7  LMHSNMWe321
Geum urbanumWood Avens, Bennet's Root - Old man's whiskers, Herb bennetPerennial0.5 5-9  LMHSNM332
Lygeum spartumAlbardine, LygeumPerennial0.5 0-0  LMHNDM002
Prunus africanaPygeumTree18.0 10-12 FLMNM052

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Print Friendly and PDF

Expert comment

Author

Pursh.

Botanical References

200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Add a comment

If you have important information about this plant that may help other users please add a comment or link below. Only comments or links that are felt to be directly relevant to a plant will be included. If you think a comment/link or information contained on this page is inaccurate or misleading we would welcome your feedback at [email protected]. If you have questions about a plant please use the Forum on this website as we do not have the resources to answer questions ourselves.

* Please note: the comments by website users are not necessarily those held by PFAF and may give misleading or inaccurate information.

To leave a comment please Register or login here All comments need to be approved so will not appear immediately.

Subject : Geum triflorum  
© 2010, Plants For A Future. Plants For A Future is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Charity No. 1057719, Company No. 3204567.