Appalachian or spreading avens

Sieversia radiata (Michaux) G. Don

Plants subscapose. Stems 10–45(–60) cm, densely hirsute proximally to puberulent distally. Leaves: basal 10–30 cm, blade strongly lyrate-pinnate, sometimes simple, major leaflet 1, minor leaflets 1–6, terminal leaflet much larger than minor laterals; cauline 1.2–4 cm, stipules not evident, blade ˂bractlike, not resembling basal˃, simple. Inflorescences 3–10-flowered. Pedicels glandular-hairy. Flowers erect; epicalyx bractlets 2–5 mm; hypanthium green; sepals spreading in flower, erect in fruit, 6–10 mm; petals spreading, yellow, orbiculate to obcordate, 9–16 mm, longer than sepals, apex emarginate. Fruiting tori sessile, glabrous. Fruiting styles wholly persistent, not geniculate-jointed, 8–12 mm, apex not hooked, pilose and stipitate-glandular in basal 1/3. 2n = 42.

Flowering summer. Rocky cliffs and ledges, montane balds; of conservation concern; 1500–1900 m; N.C., Tenn.

Geum radiatum is closely related to G. calthifolium and G. peckii. The morphologic differences among them are slight compared to the discontinuities separating other Geum species. On the basis of morphology it would be possible to combine all three in a single species. Yet they occupy distinct ranges separated by a minimum of 1200 km. Traditionally, they have been treated as separate species, and recently I. G. Paterson and M. Snyder (1999) reported molecular genetic evidence for continuing to recognize G. peckii and G. radiatum as separate species.

Geum radiatum is listed as an endangered species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.