Scarlet avens facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Scarlet avens |
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| Geum quellyon cultivar 'Mrs Bradshaw' | |
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Geum
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| Species: |
quellyon
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Geum quellyon, also known as scarlet avens or Chilean avens, is a type of plant that lives for many years. It is a perennial herb in the Rosaceae family, which also includes roses. This plant originally comes from the central and southern parts of Chile. People have also planted G. quellyon in other countries like Belgium, Bolivia, and the United Kingdom. It was first brought to the UK in 1826.
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What it Looks Like
This plant can grow to be between 6 and 100 centimeters (about 2 inches to 3 feet) tall. Its leaves are compound, meaning they are made up of smaller parts called leaflets. Each leaf has about 3 to 10 pairs of these leaflets.
G. quellyon has a thick main root that grows straight down. If you break this root, it smells like cloves! This is because it contains special aromatic compounds that give off a scent. The flowers of G. quellyon can be different colors, from yellow-orange to pink-red.
Even at a tiny level, the plant's chromosomes (which hold its genetic information) are special. When its body cells are dividing, the chromosomes of G. quellyon are shorter and wider than those in other similar plants.
Where it Grows
G. quellyon is native to many regions of Chile. These include Araucanía, Aysén, Biobío, Los Lagos (which has Chiloé Island), Magallanes, Maule, Metropolitana de Santiago, Ñuble, O’Higgins, Los Ríos, and Valparaíso.
How People Use It
Traditional Medicine
The Mapuche people of Chile have used G. quellyon in their traditional medicine for a long time. They make an extract from its roots.
Scientists have observed that this plant can interact with certain modern medicines. For example, it was seen to affect how a medicine used after a kidney transplant worked. This shows how powerful natural plants can be!
Growing in Gardens
Geum quellyon is a popular garden plant. Sometimes, gardeners call it Geum chiloense. This plant grows best in sunny spots or places with some shade. It likes soil that is moist but also drains water well. It's important to protect G. quellyon from very cold temperatures. If it gets colder than about -4.4 degrees Celsius (24 degrees Fahrenheit), the plant can get damaged and might not recover.
There are many different types of G. quellyon that gardeners have developed. These are called cultivars:
- Geum 'Blazing Sunset' has bright brick-red flowers that are "double," meaning they have many petals. They bloom from June to September on tall stems. This plant grows to be about 60 centimeters (2 feet) tall and wide.
- Geum 'Lady Stratheden' is also known as Geum 'Gold Ball'. It has yellow flowers that are "semi-double." The Royal Horticultural Society has given 'Lady Stratheden' a special award called the Award of Garden Merit.
- Geum 'Mrs J Bradshaw' produces large, semi-double flowers from June to September. It also grows to about 60 centimeters (2 feet) tall and wide. This type is often planted in charming cottage gardens. It has also received the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society.
- Geum 'Totally Tangerine' is a hybrid plant. This means it was created by crossing two different types: G. quellyon 'Mrs J Bradshaw' and G. rivale. It can grow up to 90 centimeters (3 feet) tall and has peach-orange flowers that don't produce seeds. This special plant is protected by plant breeders' rights in Europe and the UK until 2036.
Plant Problems
G. quellyon can sometimes get sick from tiny living things called pathogens. These pathogens belong to a group called Peronospora.
See also
In Spanish: Geum quellyon para niños
