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White Avens vs Rough Avens

These two plants are visually similar and can be easily confused. They are easily distinguished by close examination, however.

White Avens (Geum canadense)

Rough Avens (Geum laciniatum)

An perennial with inconspicuous flowers native and common across much of central to eastern North America.
Petals about as long as the sepals, leading to a slightly showier bloom.
Photo © , CC BY-SA 4.0.
Petals much shorter than the sepals, leading to a highly inconspicuous bloom.
Photo © Katie Kucera, CC BY 4.0.
Fruit clusters consist of fewer, smaller seeds, leading to a coarser-textured look.
Photo © Andrew Conboy, CC BY 4.0.
Fruit clusters consist of more, but smaller seeds, leading to a finer-textured look.
Photo © rboles, CC BY 4.0.
Flowering stalks finely pubescent.
Photo © crgillette, CC BY 4.0.
Flowering stalks covered in coarse, spreading hairs.
Photo © Emily Summerbell, CC BY 4.0.

References & External Resources

These short lists show only links helpful for ID. For a complete list of references and resources also covering other aspects of ecology, visit the links section of the full article on each plant, which is the first entry here.

White Avens (Geum canadense)

Rough Avens (Geum laciniatum)

Geum canadense | Go Botany (About This Site)

Geum laciniatum | Go Botany (About This Site)

Geum canadense (White Avens) | Illinois Wildflowers (About This Site)

Geum laciniatum (Rough Avens) | Illinois Wildflowers (About This Site)

Geum canadense | Flora of North America (About This Site)

Geum laciniatum | Flora of North America (About This Site)

Geum canadense | Biota of North America Project (BONAP) (About This Site)

Geum laciniatum | Biota of North America Project (BONAP) (About This Site)

Geum canadense (White Avens) | Minnesota Wildflowers (About This Site)

Geum laciniatum (Rough Avens) | Minnesota Wildflowers (About This Site)