Geum macrophyllum var. macrophyllum
Largeleaf avens
(c) Thomas Gyselinck, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Thomas Gyselinck · licence
Family: Rosaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Geum macrophyllum var. macrophyllum (Largeleaf avens) is a native California herb in the Rosaceae family, recognized by leaf division and non-glandular pedicels.
Largeleaf avens is a California native perennial found in northern coastal regions in meadows and along streambanks at elevations below 300 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces yellow flowers with distinctive rounded petals. Growing with upright stems 30 to 60 centimeters tall, it forms clumps in moist habitats. Its stem leaves are partially divided, with upper leaves having diamond-shaped to oblong segments that create a complex, textured foliage pattern. The plant's bright yellow blossoms and delicate leaf structure make it a charming addition to coastal meadow ecosystems.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; key features are leaf division and non-glandular pedicels
Habitat and range
Habitat: Meadows, streambanks
Elevation: < 300 m
Outside California: to northern and eastern North America, Eurasia
Bloom period
Geum macrophyllum var. macrophyllum blooms May-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Potentilla: Geum achenes bear a persistent, hooked or feathery elongating style that catches on fur; Potentilla achenes are smooth and styleless.; vs Fragaria: Geum flowers nod and the fruit is a dry head of awned achenes; Fragaria fruit swells into a fleshy red strawberry studded with surface achenes.; vs Duchesnea: Geum has cup-shaped flowers over a bracted hypanthium and a dry awned achene head; Duchesnea has solitary yellow flowers and a spongy, tasteless red mock-strawberry.; vs Drymocallis: Geum leaves have a large terminal leaflet and achenes tipped with hooked or plumose beaks; Drymocallis is glandular-sticky with beakless, smooth achenes.; vs Agrimonia: Geum bears open cup-shaped flowers and a head of naked awned achenes; Agrimonia carries flowers in a long slender spike and encloses the fruit in a bur-like hooked hypanthium.
Frequently asked questions
Is Geum macrophyllum var. macrophyllum native to California?
Yes. Geum macrophyllum var. macrophyllum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Geum macrophyllum var. macrophyllum bloom?
Geum macrophyllum var. macrophyllum blooms May-Aug.
What plant family does Geum macrophyllum var. macrophyllum belong to?
Geum macrophyllum var. macrophyllum is in the Rosaceae family, genus Geum.
What habitat does Geum macrophyllum var. macrophyllum grow in?
Geum macrophyllum var. macrophyllum grows in Meadows, streambanks.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.