Tame avens

Family Rosaceae. Native to the Caucasus, Western Siberia, Eastern Siberia, Western Europe, Asia Minor.

Perennial up to 70 cm tall, with a thick, gnarled rhizome. Stems — erect, reddish-brown, bearing small inflorescences of nodding flowers. Blooms in May–June. From the red-brown calyx pinkish-cream petals and a dense cluster of stamens with pistils slightly protrude. After flowering only the pistils remain, which spread out on a straight stalk, but do not add beauty. Leaves are mainly basal, pinnate, with a very large rounded terminal segment. They are dull green and, like the stems, covered with sparse hairs.

A moist, preferably fertile soil is suitable for planting. It is not demanding regarding light. Care consists of cutting off faded stems to prevent unnecessary seedlings. Propagated by seeds and by division of the clump. Winter-hardy. Leaves are edible. Rhizomes are used in folk medicine.