WATER AVENS

Geum Rivale

Rose Family [Rosaceae]

flower

inner

petals

stem

12th June 2008, Monsal Dale, Derbyshire

Photo: © RWD

Grows in gatherings in damp places near water, rather than in water, for despite its name it is not aquatic.

12th June 2008, Monsal Dale, Derbyshire

Photo: © RWD

The brownish-purple looking flowers droop, stalks bent in inverse umbrella-handle fashion.

31st May 2005, Barnoldswick, Leeds & Liverpool Canal.

Photo: © RWD

A set of trifoliate leaves grows half-way up the stalk, reminiscent of Fringe Cups.

12th June 2008, Monsal Dale, Derbyshire

Photo: © RWD

A single clump.

31st May 2005, Barnoldswick, Leeds & Liverpool Canal,

Photo: © RWD

The buff-coloured petals of the flower are always mostly hidden by the five purplish brown sepals.

8th May 2009, Near Coniston, Cumbria.

Photo: © RWD

The flowers always droop downwards, never displayed upwards.

15th May 2008, Warton Crag, Cumbria.

Photo: © RWD

15th May 2008, Warton Crag, Cumbria.

Photo: © RWD

Unlike the hybrid between Water Avens and Wood Avens (which is called Hybrid Geum), this has pink petals that are flattish and shaped as of a spatula with rounded notches in the middle of the ends.

31st May 2005, Barnoldswick, Leeds & Liverpool Canal,

Photo: © RWD

The flower profile has a distinct pentagonal appearance.

31st May 2005, Barnoldswick, Leeds & Liverpool Canal,

Photo: © RWD

Later the seeds start to emerge from the centre like feathery hairs from the mouth of a monster.

12th June 2008, Monsal Dale, Derbyshire

Photo: © RWD

And the flower head at last starts to present itself upward looking.

12th June 2008, Monsal Dale, Derbyshire

Photo: © RWD

10th June 2009, Smardale Gill Viaduct, near Ravenstonedale.

Photo: © RWD

The feathery seeds have a distinct twist in the tail: they can travel by air using the feathers, or by the hook attaching to passing animals.

12th June 2008, Monsal Dale, Derbyshire

Photo: © RWD

DOUBLE-FLOWERED HYBRIDS

These double-flowered forms were all found growing amongst many perfectly normal Water Avens. There are red, pink and Water-Aven pale buff colours. As is readily apparent these double-flowered forms have many more petals than just a doubling. Perhaps a better description would be triple- or quadruple-flowered.