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Geum L. (Rosaceae)

Geum (including taxa sometimes placed in Waldsteinia) is represented by ten species in North Carolina, half of which are listed (E&T) or of conservation concern.  The federally listed species is Geum radiatum (Fed E).  State listed species are G. aleppicum (State E), G. geniculatum (State SC-V), G. laciniatum (State E), and G. lobatum (State E). Note that, as for Liatris and Spiraea, the majority of rare taxa are found in the Piedmont and mountains. 

Federally listed taxon—
Geum radiatum (Fed E, State E | S2 G2)

Habitat. High-elevation outcrops, steep rocky slopes, gravelly soils of summit balds.

Range. Endemic to the Southern Appalachians (W NC [S2] and E TN [S1]).

Additional resources. NHP | Recovery plan | 5-yr review

Key to Geum in North Carolina

Key adapted from Weakley (2008). Photos by Krings, unless otherwise indicated. Line drawings from Britton & Brown (1913), except G. laciniatum and G. lobatum (from Patrick et al. 1995). Maps courtesy of USDA PLANTS and the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program.

1. Style deciduous; hypanthium obconical; epicalyx absent or deciduous[note: present in Duchesnea, Fragaria, and Potentilla]...2.

2. Leaves trilobed...G. lobatum expand/contract button

2'. Leaves trifoliolate...3.

3. Petals 4–10 mm x 2–6 mm (longer than the sepals)...G. fragarioides expand/contract button

3'. Petals 2.5–4 mm x 1–1.5 mm (about as long as the sepals)...G. donianum expand/contract button

1'. Style persistent; hypanthium saucer- or cup-shaped; epicalyx present, except absent in G. vernum...4.

4. Style straight...G. radiatum* expand/contract button

4'. Style with a kink or twist...5.

5. Calyx lacking bractlets between lobes; fruiting stipes 3–7 mm long, well exserted...G. vernum expand/contract button

5.' Calyx with bractlets between lobes; fruiting stipes < 3 mm, frequently obscured...6.

6. Portion of the style above the kink usually 4–7 mm long; flowers nodding, sepals green suffused with purple, erect to erect-spreading, petals erect or erect-spreading...G. geniculatum expand/contract button

6'. Portion of the style above the kink usually 1–2 mm long; flowers erect, sepals green, spreading to reflexed, petals reflexed...7.

7. Petals cream; fruiting tori bristly; larger stipules > 10 mm wide, coarsely toothed or even lobed... G. virginianum expand/contract button

7'. Petals yellow or white; fruiting tori various; stipules various...8.

8. Petals bright yellow; fruiting tori densely downy...G. aleppicum expand/contract button

8'. Petals white; fruiting tori bristly (only at base and tip in G. laciniatum)...9.

9. Pedicels puberulent (sometimes slightly hirsute); petals (3–) 4–7 (–7.5) mm long...G. canadense expand/contract button

9'. Pedicels densely hirsute (and puberulent); petals (2–) 2.5–4 (–5.5) mm long...G. laciniatum expand/contract button