Geum × catlingii explained

Geum × catlingii, or Catling's avens, is a plant in the rose family, Rosaceae. It is known from eastern Canada, where it arises from natural hybridization between the native G. canadense Jacq. and the introduced G. urbanum L.^{[1] [2]} It is named after Paul M. Catling, the botanist who first observed the hybrid.

Description

Geum ×catlingii is a hybrid taxon, and as such exhibits variable morphology. However, several characters in combination help distinguish it from other Geum species:^[1]

• Hybrid vigor - hybrids tend to be larger than parents
• Petals are creamy-yellow - intermediate between dark yellow (G. urbanum) and white (G. canadense).
• Intermediate stem bract size
• Highly sterile ovaries

It has been noted to bloom throughout the summer, after other species have shed their petals.^[3]

Notes and References

1. J.-P. . Bernard . R. . Gauthier . Observations sur le Geum urbanum L. dans la région de Québec et description de deux hybrides . Naturaliste Canadien . 1986 . 113 . 4 . 317–324 .
2. Web site: Brouillet . L. . F. . Coursol . S.J. . Meades . M. . Favreau . M. . Anions . P. . Bélisle . P. . Desmet . 2010 . VASCAN, the Database of Vascular Plants of Canada . 2018-01-12.
3. C.J. . Rothfels . Significant 2004 Hamilton Study Area Plant Records from the Royal Botanical Gardens Herbarium (HAM) . The Wood Duck . 58 . 9 . 219–223 . 2005 .