Geum fragarioides - (image 1 of 6)
Taxonomy
Family: Rosaceae
Synonymous with Waldsteinia fragarioides
Habitat
Moist or dry woods.
Associates
Distribution
ME and western Quebec west to MN, south to PA, IN, and in mountains to GA and AL.
Morphology
Herbaceous, rhizomatous perennial; leaves all basal, trifoliate, on long petioles; leaflets broadly cuneate-obovate, serrate and usually shallowly lobed, the lateral leaflets asymmetrical; inflorescence a cyme with few to several flowers; peduncle about equaling the leaves; sepals triangular; hypanthium obconic, its mouth contracted by a conspicuous disk; petals yellow; stamens numerous, the filaments slender, erect, persistent; carpels 2-6, free and distinct, inserted on a hairy receptacle, mostly enclosed by the hypanthium but with the styles protruding; ovule 1, basal; fruit an achene.
Notes
Flowers early May to late June
Wetland indicator: NA
This plant resembles strawberry (Fragaria spp.), hence the specific epithet fragarioides. It is called Barren Strawberry because it does not produce a fleshy fruit, rather a head of dry achenes. Interestingly (to me anyway), this species is absent from the Chicago region, yet common in forests of central NY.
References
Gleason, Henry A. and A. Cronquist. 1991. Manual of Vascular Plants of Northeastern United States and Adjacent Canada. Second Ed.
The New York Botanical Garden. Bronx, NY
Swink, F. and G. Wilhelm. 1994. Plants of the Chicago Region.
Indiana Academy of Science. The Morton Arboretum. Lisle, Illinois.
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Michael Hough © 2009 |