Geum. ROSACEiE. 203 



Stem 2-4 feet high, simple, paniculate at the summit, the lower part (and sometimes the 

 upper also, as well as the petioles) hispid with spreading or retrorse hairs. Radical and lower 

 cauline leaves on long petioles, the upper ones nearly sessile : larger leaflets 2 inches or more 

 in length, with scattered appressed hairs on both surfaces. Flowers in a loose dichotomous 

 panicle, larger than in the preceding species ; the peduncles 1-2 inches long. Bracteoles 

 subulate-linear, shorter than the segments of the calyx. Head of carpels sessile. Receptacle 

 densely pubescent. 



Wet meadows and swamps. July - August. Common in the northern and western parts 

 of the State ; not found on the Hudson far below Albany. 



^ 2. Carvophyllata, Tourn. Segments of the calyx erect or spreading : style jointed, geniculated 

 and contorted near the middle ; the upper joint mostly plumose. 



3. Geum rivale, Linn, Water Avens. Purple Avens. 



Siem pubescent, rather naked ; radical leaves interruptedly pinnate and lyrate , cauline 

 ones (1-2) trifoliolate or 3-lobed ; flowers few, nodding ; petals broadly cuneiform-obovate, 

 emarginate, about the length of the calyx ; carpels in a stipitate head, very hairy ; lower joint 

 of the persistent style smooth above , the upper joint plumose. — Linn. sp. I. p. 501 ; Michx. 

 ft. \. p. ^01; Engl. hot. t. 106 ; Pursh, fl. \. p. '^51 ; Torr. fl. \.p. 493 ; Bigel. fl. Bost. 

 p. 206 ; Torr. ^ Gr. fl. N. Am. 1. p. 422. 



Rhizoma creeping. Stem 1-3 feet high, erect, clothed with a short soft retrorse pubes- 

 cence mixed with longer hairs. Radical leaves on petioles often a foot long ; terminal leaflets 

 broadly ovate or obovate, 2-4 inches in diameter. Flowers in a loose terminal panicle, an 

 inch in diameter ; the peduncles erect in fruit. Calyx purplish : bracteoles scarcely one- 

 third the length of the segments. Petals abruptly narrowed into a claw, dull purplish-orange, 

 finally longer than the calyx. Carpels in a globose head, which at first is nearly sessile, but 

 finally raised on a distinct stipe. Lower joint hispid about half its length ; upper joint plumose 

 throughout. 



Bogs and wet meadows ; northern and western parts of the State. May - June. The root 

 or rhizoma is astringent, and, made into a syrup, is a popular medicine " for cleansing the 

 blood." It is also said to be used as a substitute for chocolate. 



§ 3. SiEVERSiA, Willd. ; R. Br. Style not articulated, wholly persistent. 



4. Geum triflorum, Pursh, Three-^flowered Purple Avens. 



Stem nearly naked, softly pubescent, about 3-flowered at the summit ; radical leaves inter- 

 ruptedly pinnate, the petioles hairy ; leaflets cuneiform-oblong, deeply incised and toothed ; 

 flowers at first nodding ; pedicels finally elongated ; bracteoles lanceolate-linear, longer than 

 the calyx segments, and about the length of the elliptical-oblong petals ; styles very long, 



26* 



