What is "geum urbanum"

avens \av"ens\ ([a^]v"[e^]nz), n.; pl. avens. [OF. avence.] (Bot.) A plant of the genus Geum, of the rose family, esp. Geum urbanum, or herb bennet. They may bear red, yellow, or white flowers.

Bennet \Ben"net\, n. [F. beno[^i]te, fr. L. benedicta, fem. of benedictus, p. p., blessed. See Benedict, a.] (Bot.) The common yellow-flowered avens of Europe ( Geum urbanum); herb bennet. The name is sometimes given to other plants, as the hemlock, valerian, etc.

cloveroot \cloveroot\ n. a hairy Eurasian plant ( Geum urbanum) with small yellow flowers and an astringent root formerly used medicinally.

Syn: herb bennet, wood avens, Geum urbanum.

Geum urbanum, also known as wood avens, herb Bennet, colewort and St. Benedict's herb (Latin herba benedicta), is a perennial plant in the rose family ( Rosaceae), which grows in shady places (such as woodland edges and near hedgerows) in Europe and the Middle East.

Usually reaching a height between 20 and 60 cm, wood avens blooms between May and August, and its flowers are 1 – 2 cm in diameter, having five bright yellow petals. The hermaphrodite flowers are scented and pollinated by bees. The fruits have burrs, which are used for dispersal by getting caught in the fur of rabbits and other animals. The root is used as a spice in soups and also for flavouring ale. Geum urbanum hybridises fairly regularly with Geum rivale (water avens), as they are closely related and occur together.