View source for Wood Avens

{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Wood Avens
| image = Geum urbanum bgiu.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Rosales]]
| familia = [[Rosaceae]]
| subfamilia = [[Rosoideae]]
| genus = ''[[Geum]]''
| species = '''''G. urbanum'''''
| binomial = ''Geum urbanum''
| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
}}

'''Wood Avens''' (''Geum urbanum'') also known as '''Herb Bennet''', '''Colewort''' and '''St. Benedict's herb''' is a perennial plant in the Rose family ([[Rosaceae]]) which grows in shady places (such as [[woodland]] edges and near hedgerows) in [[Europe]] and the [[Middle East]].

Usually reaching a height between 20 and 60 cm, wood avens blooms between May and August and its flowers are 1 - 2 cm in diameter, having five bright yellow petals. The [[hermaphrodite]] flowers are scented and pollinated by [[bee]]s. The fruits have burrs, which are used for dispersal by getting caught in the fur of [[rabbit]]s and other animals. The root is used as a [[spice]] in [[soups]] and also for flavouring [[ale]].

==In folklore==
in folklore Wood Avens is credited with the power to drive away evil spirits, and to protect against [[rabies|rabid]] dogs and venomous [[snakes]]. It was associated with [[Christianity]] because its leaves grew in threes and its petals in fives (reminiscent of, respectively, the [[Holy Trinity]] and the [[Five Wounds]]). Astrologically, it was said to be ruled by [[Jupiter]].

==In herbal medicine==
Wood Avens was stated to be a treatment for [[poison]] and dog bites. [[Paracelsus]] suggested its use against [[liver disease]], [[catarrh]] and [[stomach]] upsets.

Modern herbalists use it to treat [[diarrhoea]], [[heart disease]], [[halitosis]] and [[mouth ulcer]]s, and to prevent [[colic]]. Not all of these uses are supported by scientific evidence.

==Sources==
* Howard, Michael. ''Traditional Folk Remedies'' (Century, 1987), pp 99-100.

[[Category:Rosaceae]]
[[Category:Flora of Europe]]
[[Category:Flora of Estonia]]
[[Category:Flora of the United Kingdom]]

{{Rosales-stub}}