Geum rivale / Chocolate Root

A flowering herb of northern moist soils. The urn-shaped maroon flowers and deeply colored awns add exotic color to the spring landscape. Beautiful as a border plant in gardens and in rain gardens. Also called Purple Avens and Water Avens.

The roots can be brewed to make a chocolate-like beverage. It is tasty but labor intensive as the roots are fairly small.

Height: 1′ – 2′        Blooms: May

Siting: Average to wet soil, part sun to shade

Deer Resistance: Moderate

Provenance: NJ