Large-leaf Avens (Geum macrophyllum): yellow Minnesota wildflowers

Large-leaf Avens

Plant Info
Also known as:
Scientific name:	Geum macrophyllum
Family:	Rose (Rosaceae)
Life cycle:	perennial
Origin:	native
Habitat:	sun to part shade; moist woods, meadows, along streams
Bloom season:	summer
Plant height:	12 to 40 inches
USDA PLANTS database:	Minnesota county distribution map
Spotted in Ramsey County at:	Long Lake Regional Park

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Flower:: 1 to a few flowers are at the end of branching stems at the top of the plant. Individual flowers are about ½ inch across with 5 yellow round to oval petals that may have a dull point or a small notch at the tip. There are numerous yellow-tipped stamen, that turn reddish brown with age, covering the greenish center. The 5 sharply pointed green sepals under the flower bend back away from the flower.
Leaves and stem:: There are a few to several long stemmed compound basal leaves with a large kidney-shaped leaflet, sometimes round or lobed, at the end and several small leaflets along the stem. Basal leaves can be 18 inches long, with the end leaflet to 7 inches long and wide.
The compound stem leaves are alternately attached, with the end leaflet divided into 3 pointed lobes. The end leaflet is to 4½ inches long and 3½ inches wide. There are 2 leaf-like appendages (stipules) attached to the main stem at the leaf joint. Stem leaves near the base of the plant have 1 or more additional pairs of smaller leaflets. All leaves are coarsely toothed and very hairy, and become progressively smaller as they ascend the stem. The main stem is covered in stiff hairs.
Fruit:: Fruit is a dry oval seed covered in hooks
Notes:: When I first came upon Large-leaf Avens, I thought it was a buttercup, but it does not have shiny petals as buttercups do. The compound leaves and stipules are also not traits of the buttercup family.