Avens (Geum), fam. Rosaceae.
   These greens are among the first appearing in spring forest. At the beginning, it has a rosette shape; then the stems with flowers grow up.
   Leaves and young shoots are edible, though does not have any special taste. Roots are used as a spice, with a flavor similar to cloves.
   There are two species in our forest – Wood Avens (Geum urbanum) and Water Avens (Geum rivale). They are difficult to distinguish until blooming (which starts in the middle of May). Wood avens has yellow flowers on the tops of straight, rather tough stems. The fruits are bur-like, but not very clingy; they ripen in the second half of summer.

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