Geum triflorum
| Geum triflorum | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 1 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 1' |
| Width: | 1' |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer-Late Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Geum triflorum (common name: purple avens)
Propagation: Seed - sow spring or autumn in a cold frame[1]. 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[1]. 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.
Cultivation: Easily grown in any moderately good garden soil that is well-drained[2]. Prefers a soil rich in organic matter[1]. Prefers a rather damp soil[3].
Plants are hardy to about -20°c[3].
Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[1].
Range: N. America - Newfoundland and New York, west to British Columbia and south to California.
Habitat: Damp places and mountain screes[3].
Edibility: A decoction of the roots is a tea substitute[4][5]. It tastes like a weak sassafras tea[6]. A brew was used in Indian sweat houses as a body wash for aches and pains[7].
Medicinal: A strong decoction of the roots is used as a tonic in the treatment of severe coughs and fevers[7][5]. This decoction can also be used as an eye wash and as a mouth wash for sore throats[8][5]. An infusion of the roots, mixed with oil, can be applied as a salve to sores, rashes, blisters and flesh wounds[5]. An infusion can also be used as a wash for aching joints, stiff sore muscles etc[5].
Usage: The crushed ripe seeds are used as a perfume[7][5].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Perennials - The Definitve Reference. Pan Books, 1991.
- ↑ Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.
- ↑ Davis, Ray and Frank Craighead. A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers. The Riverside Press, 1963.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Coffey, Timothy. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File, 1993.
- ↑ Weiner, Michael. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books, 1980.