June 29, 2005
White Avens, Geum canadense
Although not showy, the Avens are native wildflowers that grow in the dappled light of the forest understory. Their seeds form a spiky half-inch ball. The spike of each seed has a hook on the end that can attach to the fur of a passing animal for a free ride to a new location.
Yellow Avens, G. aleppicum, which are closely related, also bloom at Fresh Pond, but about a month earlier. (see June 4, 2005 photo)