AVENS 183 
yellow flowers, and is apt to become a troublesome weed when introduced 
to the garden; but G. rivale was probably transplanted from its native 
streams at an early date. Of the exotic species, the white-flowered @. 
album, introduced from North America in 1730, was probably the first to 
be cultivated here. G. strictum, from the same quarter of the globe, 
was introduced in 1778, G. pyrenaicum from the Pyrenees, 1804. G. 
chiloense, the species most frequently cultivated, came from Chile in 1824. 
Several others are of more recent introduction, such as G. rheticum, 
thought to be a natural hybrid between G. montanwm and G. reptans, 
discovered in the Engadine in 1886. 
cionibeuiiad GEUM CHILOENSE (Chilian). Scarlet Avens. Stems 
‘ glandular, about 2 feet high. Radical leaves interruptedly 
pinnate, leaflets lobed and boldly toothed. Stem-leaves three-parted, 
deeply cut. Flowers scarlet and copper-coloured, 14 inch across, in 
leafy terminal panicles; May to August. Plate 86. “This is often 
known in gardens by the incorrect name of G. coccinewm, which belongs 
to a distinct species. There is a very handsome var. flore pleno, with 
dazzling scarlet double flowers. 
G. coccrnEuM (scarlet). Stem solitary, erect, about a foot high. 
Radical leaves tufted, spreading with five or seven leaflets ; stem-leaves 
simple, three-lobed, toothed. Flowers erect, on terminal foot-stalks ; 
petals clawed, purplish. 
G. ELATUM (tall), Stem slender, forked, 3 to 4 feet. Radical leaves 
somewhat similar to those of G. coccmewm; stem-leaves small, with 
larger stipules. Flowers on long, slender, erect stalks; petals notched, 
- golden yellow; July. Introduced from Himalaya (1880). 
G. MonTANUM (mountain) is a spring flowering dwarf species (6 to 
12 inches high). Leaves covered with soft hairs. Flowers yellow, erect. 
G. pyRENAICcUM (Pyrenean). Stems erect, unbranched, 14 foot high. 
fsimilarcl tar to those of G.chiloense, but lower leaflets smaller. 
UIDY 
i 
Flowers yellow, nodding, one to four ‘nacluster; June. Whole plant hairy. 
G. RIVALE (near the river). Stems erect, unbranched, 1 to 3 feet, 
downy. Leaves similar to those of G. chiloense, but very variable ; 
stipules small. Flowers drooping, an inch to an inch and a half in 
diameter ; calyx red-brown, downy ; petals yellow; May to July. 
Geums are propagated by seed sown in spring out of 
doors, or by divisions of the tufts at the same season. 
Their culture is simple, for they succeed in any well-drained soil. They 
are well suited for the rock-garden, but G. rivale, which is a moisture- 
loving species, should have a place at the foot of the rockery. &. elatwm, 
being tall, will do better in the border. 
Culture. 
