White Avens vs Cream Avens
This guide is under construction and has not been published yet. It may have errors. When in doubt, double-check other sources for definitive ID.These species are often confused where their ranges overlap. They are easily distinguished by flower color, structure, and bloom time, and they also have differences in stipules and pubescence of lower stems.
White Avens (Geum canadense) | Cream Avens (Geum virginianum) |
An perennial with inconspicuous flowers native and common across much of central to eastern North America. | |
 Petals are white, and about the same length as the sepals, leading to a showier bloom. Blooms Earlier (Late May - Early July) Photo © , CC BY-SA 4.0. |  Petals are cream-colored to pale yellow, and much shorter than sepals. Blooms Later (June - August) Photo © Shaun Pogacnik, Public Domain. |
 Lower stem averages less hairy, from nearly hairless to slightly roughened, hairs < 1.5mm in length, and average less dense. Photo © Erin Lalime, CC BY 4.0. |  Lower stem densely covered in long hairs. Photo © Shaun Pogacnik, Public Domain. |
 Stipules (leaf-like structures at the base of each leaf's stem) are much smaller, insignificant relative to the size of each leaf/leaflets, and toothed but usually not as strongly lobed. Photo © ch3chia, CC BY 4.0. |  Stipules, especially of lower leaves on the stem, are much larger, significant relative to the size of the leaf itself, usually more strongly lobed, and clasp the stem. Photo © mjpapay, 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.
