Geum urbanum L.

Erect herb arising from a short rhizome; stem moderately stout to slender, 30-40-(60) cm high at flowering, branched, moderately to densely clothed in long and short hairs. Lvs both basal and cauline; basal lvs with petiole up to 18 cm long, grooved and pilose; blade ovate to obovate, up to 14 cm long, usually pinnately 3-foliolate, sometimes imparipinnate with 2-3 pairs of major leaflets, hairy above, hairy below especially on veins; margins 2-serrate to irregularly crenate-serrate and lobed; terminal leaflet up to 6-(10) cm long, 3-5-lobed or sometimes deeply incised. Cauline lvs decreasing in size upwards, with ± orbicular dissected stipules, the uppermost lvs obscurely 3-lobed and crenate; infl. a few-flowered loose cyme; peduncles densely clothed in short and long hairs, up to 14 cm long. Epicalyx segments lanceolate, 2-5 mm long. Sepals ovate-triangular, 4-7 mm long, hairy, reflexed at fruiting. Petals 3-6 mm long, rounded, yellow. Achenes c. 50-70, hairy, forming a ± globose head c. 10-12 × 6-13 mm; distal part of style deciduous; proximal part of style persistent, hooked, glabrous or with few hairs at base.

It is a temperate plant. It needs a light to medium well-drained soil. It needs an open sunny position. It is resistant to frost but sensitive to drought. It suits hardiness zone 7.

The young shoots are used as a potherb. The rhizome is used as a spice in soups and sauces. The leaves are used for tea. It is used for flavouring ale.

Plants can be grown by seed or division.