Stats

Lifespan

Perennial

Size

Medium

Diet

Photosynthetic

Biome

Temperate forest

Range

Europe and Middle East

Movement

Sessile

Breeding

Seeds

Defense

Toxins

Status

Common

About

A common woodland and hedgerow herb of the rose family, recognised by its small bright-yellow five-petalled flowers and hooked burr-like seeds that latch onto passing fur and clothing. Its roots contain eugenol and emit a distinct clove-like scent when crushed.

Life cycle

1. 1.
   seed

   A dormant seed waits for water and warmth before germinating.
2. 2.
   sprout

   A first shoot emerges with cotyledon leaves and a tap root reaching down.
3. 3.
   sapling

   A young plant grows true leaves and a stem or trunk, putting on height each season.
4. 4.
   mature

   Fully grown, flowering or fruiting at adult size.

Learn more

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Taxonomy

Kingdom

Plantae

Phylum

Tracheophyta

Class

Magnoliopsida

Order

Rosales

Family

Rosaceae

Genus

Geum

Species

Geum urbanum