Geum radiatum
Encyclopedia
Geum radiatum is a rare species of flowering plant in the rose family
known by the common names spreading avens, Appalachian avens, and cliff avens. It is native to the region of the border between Tennessee
and North Carolina
in the United States, where there are eleven populations remaining. The plant was federally listed as an endangered species
in 1990.
This plant is a perennial herb with a horizontal rhizome
spreading beneath the soil. From the rhizome several rosettes of leaves sprout. What may appear to be separate plants are actually all rosettes belonging to one genetic individual, as the plant reproduces vegetatively
. The large leaves are decidedly kidney
-shaped. The stems grow 20 centimeters to half a meter tall and produces bright yellow flowers in the summer months. This Geum looks very different from other species in its genus that grow in the area. Its closest relative is probably Geum peckii, which does not occur in the same region.
The plant grows on a few tall mountaintops above 1310 meters in the southern Appalachians
in eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina. It sprouts from steep, often vertical cliffs, anchored by its rhizome. Conditions are exposed and sunny, and the soil is acidic and gravelly. Other plants in the habitat include Solidago spithamaea
, Leiophyllum buxifolium, Menziesia pilosa, Rhododendron catawbiense
, Heuchera villosa
, Saxifraga michauxii, and species of asters, sedges
, and grass
s. The forests around the cliffs are dominated by red spruce
(Picea rubens).
Eleven known populations exist. Five others have been extirpated
; these occurred in areas that were popular recreational sites for hiking
, mountain climbing, and other uses. Threats to the remaining populations include erosion
, soil compaction from trampling, and development of facilities for recreation, such as trails, ski slopes, parking lot
s, and bridge
s. Poaching
is also a problem for this species as a mountain wildflower with showy yellow blooms. Pollution
, including acid rain
, may be a threat. Some of the few remaining populations are small, with fewer than 50 plants, and the number of genetically separate individuals may be smaller.
Rosaceae
Rosaceae are a medium-sized family of flowering plants, including about 2830 species in 95 genera. The name is derived from the type genus Rosa. Among the largest genera are Alchemilla , Sorbus , Crataegus , Cotoneaster , and Rubus...
known by the common names spreading avens, Appalachian avens, and cliff avens. It is native to the region of the border between Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
and North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
in the United States, where there are eleven populations remaining. The plant was federally listed as an endangered species
Endangered species
An endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters...
in 1990.
This plant is a perennial herb with a horizontal rhizome
Rhizome
In botany and dendrology, a rhizome is a characteristically horizontal stem of a plant that is usually found underground, often sending out roots and shoots from its nodes...
spreading beneath the soil. From the rhizome several rosettes of leaves sprout. What may appear to be separate plants are actually all rosettes belonging to one genetic individual, as the plant reproduces vegetatively
Vegetative reproduction
Vegetative reproduction is a form of asexual reproduction in plants. It is a process by which new individuals arise without production of seeds or spores...
. The large leaves are decidedly kidney
Kidney
The kidneys, organs with several functions, serve essential regulatory roles in most animals, including vertebrates and some invertebrates. They are essential in the urinary system and also serve homeostatic functions such as the regulation of electrolytes, maintenance of acid–base balance, and...
-shaped. The stems grow 20 centimeters to half a meter tall and produces bright yellow flowers in the summer months. This Geum looks very different from other species in its genus that grow in the area. Its closest relative is probably Geum peckii, which does not occur in the same region.
The plant grows on a few tall mountaintops above 1310 meters in the southern Appalachians
Appalachian Mountains
The Appalachian Mountains #Whether the stressed vowel is or ,#Whether the "ch" is pronounced as a fricative or an affricate , and#Whether the final vowel is the monophthong or the diphthong .), often called the Appalachians, are a system of mountains in eastern North America. The Appalachians...
in eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina. It sprouts from steep, often vertical cliffs, anchored by its rhizome. Conditions are exposed and sunny, and the soil is acidic and gravelly. Other plants in the habitat include Solidago spithamaea
Solidago spithamaea
Solidago spithamaea is a species of flowering plant in the aster family known by the common name Blue Ridge goldenrod. It is native to a very small region around the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in the United States. Its three remaining populations are threatened by the loss and...
, Leiophyllum buxifolium, Menziesia pilosa, Rhododendron catawbiense
Rhododendron catawbiense
Rhododendron catawbiense is a species of Rhododendron native to the eastern United States, growing mainly in the Appalachian Mountains from Virginia south to northern Alabama....
, Heuchera villosa
Heuchera villosa
Heuchera villosa, the Hairy Alumroot, is a small evergreen perennial native to Appalachia. and the Northeastern, Southeastern, and parts of Central United States.....
, Saxifraga michauxii, and species of asters, sedges
Cyperaceae
Cyperaceae are a family of monocotyledonous graminoid flowering plants known as sedges, which superficially resemble grasses or rushes. The family is large, with some 5,500 species described in about 109 genera. These species are widely distributed, with the centers of diversity for the group...
, and grass
Grass
Grasses, or more technically graminoids, are monocotyledonous, usually herbaceous plants with narrow leaves growing from the base. They include the "true grasses", of the Poaceae family, as well as the sedges and the rushes . The true grasses include cereals, bamboo and the grasses of lawns ...
s. The forests around the cliffs are dominated by red spruce
Red Spruce
Picea rubens is a species of spruce native to eastern North America, ranging from eastern Quebec to Nova Scotia, and from New England south in the Adirondack Mountains and Appalachians to western North Carolina.-Physical description:...
(Picea rubens).
Eleven known populations exist. Five others have been extirpated
Local extinction
Local extinction, also known as extirpation, is the condition of a species which ceases to exist in the chosen geographic area of study, though it still exists elsewhere...
; these occurred in areas that were popular recreational sites for hiking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
, mountain climbing, and other uses. Threats to the remaining populations include erosion
Erosion
Erosion is when materials are removed from the surface and changed into something else. It only works by hydraulic actions and transport of solids in the natural environment, and leads to the deposition of these materials elsewhere...
, soil compaction from trampling, and development of facilities for recreation, such as trails, ski slopes, parking lot
Parking lot
A parking lot , also known as car lot, is a cleared area that is intended for parking vehicles. Usually, the term refers to a dedicated area that has been provided with a durable or semi-durable surface....
s, and bridge
Bridge
A bridge is a structure built to span physical obstacles such as a body of water, valley, or road, for the purpose of providing passage over the obstacle...
s. Poaching
Poaching
Poaching is the illegal taking of wild plants or animals contrary to local and international conservation and wildlife management laws. Violations of hunting laws and regulations are normally punishable by law and, collectively, such violations are known as poaching.It may be illegal and in...
is also a problem for this species as a mountain wildflower with showy yellow blooms. Pollution
Pollution
Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into a natural environment that causes instability, disorder, harm or discomfort to the ecosystem i.e. physical systems or living organisms. Pollution can take the form of chemical substances or energy, such as noise, heat or light...
, including acid rain
Acid rain
Acid rain is a rain or any other form of precipitation that is unusually acidic, meaning that it possesses elevated levels of hydrogen ions . It can have harmful effects on plants, aquatic animals, and infrastructure. Acid rain is caused by emissions of carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen...
, may be a threat. Some of the few remaining populations are small, with fewer than 50 plants, and the number of genetically separate individuals may be smaller.