Geum aleppicum Jacq.

Erect herb arising from a short, thick rhizome; stem stout, 60–80–(120) cm high at flowering, often much-branched, moderately to densely pubescent and usually with scattered longer hairs. Lvs both basal and cauline; basal lvs with petiole up to 20 cm long, grooved and pilose; blade ovate, ± lyrate, up to 30 cm long, imparipinnate with (2)–3–6 pairs of major leaflets often separated by reduced leaflets, sparsely hairy above, hairy below especially along veins, with margins 2-serrate to serrate and laciniate; terminal leaflet (3)–6–12 cm long and deeply incised. Cauline lvs decreasing in size upwards, with ± ovate-orbicular dissected stipules, the uppermost lvs ternate or 3–5-lobed, sometimes merely 2-serrate. Infl. a few-flowered, loose cyme; peduncles densely pubescent and usually with scattered longer hairs, up to 12 cm long. Epicalyx segments ± elliptic-lanceolate, c. 2–3 mm long. Sepals ovate-triangular, c. 5–7 mm long, hairy, reflexed at fruiting. Petals (5)–6–10 mm long, rounded, yellow. Achenes c. 150–250, hairy, forming a cylindric-globose head 14–20 × 12–20 mm; distal part of style deciduous; proximal part of style persistent, hooked, glabrous or with scattered hairs at base.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

Flowering: Nov.–Feb.; Fruiting: Dec.–May.