''Geum radiatum'' is a rare species of flowering plant in the

rose family Rosaceae (), the rose family, is a medium-sized family of flowering plants that includes 4,828 known species in 91 genera. The name is derived from the type genus ''Rosa''. Among the most species-rich genera are ''Alchemilla'' (270), ''Sorbus' ...

known by the common names spreading avens, Appalachian avens, and cliff avens. It is native to the region of the border between

Tennessee Tennessee ( , ), officially the State of Tennessee, is a landlocked state in the Southeastern region of the United States. Tennessee is the 36th-largest by area and the 15th-most populous of the 50 states. It is bordered by Kentucky to th ...

and

North Carolina North Carolina () is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States. The state is the 28th largest and 9th-most populous of the United States. It is bordered by Virginia to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Georgia and So ...

in the southeastern United States, where there are eleven known populations remaining.USFWS
Determination of endangered status for ''Geum radiatum'' and ''Hedyotis purpurea'' var. ''montana''.
''Federal Register'' April 5, 1990. The plant was federally listed as an

endangered species An endangered species is a species that is very likely to become extinct in the near future, either worldwide or in a particular political jurisdiction. Endangered species may be at risk due to factors such as habitat loss, poaching and inv ...

in 1990. ''Geum radiatum'' is a perennial herb with a horizontal

rhizome In botany and dendrology, a rhizome (; , ) is a modified subterranean plant stem that sends out roots and shoots from its nodes. Rhizomes are also called creeping rootstalks or just rootstalks. Rhizomes develop from axillary buds and grow hori ...

spreading beneath the soil. From the rhizome, several rosettes of leaves sprout. What may appear to be separate plants are actually all clones belonging to one genetic individual, as the plant reproduces vegetatively. The large leaves are decidedly

kidney The kidneys are two reddish-brown bean-shaped organs found in vertebrates. They are located on the left and right in the retroperitoneal space, and in adult humans are about in length. They receive blood from the paired renal arteries; blood ...

-shaped.''Geum radiatum''.
North Carolina Natural Heritage Program. The stems grow 20 centimeters to half a meter (8-20 inches) 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 ''Geum peckii'' is a species of herbaceous, perennial flowering plant in the rose family known by the common name mountain avens. It is native to eastern North America, where it is known from only two locations, the White Mountains of New Hamps ...

'', which does not occur in the same region.''Geum radiatum''.

The Nature Conservancy The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is a global environmental organization headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. it works via affiliates or branches in 79 countries and territories, as well as across every state in the US. Founded in 1951, The Natu ...

. ''Geum radiatum'' grows on a few tall mountaintops above 1310 meters (4367 feet) elevation in the southern

Appalachians The Appalachian Mountains, often called the Appalachians, (french: Appalaches), are a system of mountains in eastern to northeastern North America. The Appalachians first formed roughly 480 million years ago during the Ordovician Period. They ...

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'', ''

Kalmia buxifolia ''Kalmia buxifolia'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Ericaceae known by the common name sandmyrtle, or sand-myrtle. It is native to the mid-Atlantic and southeastern United States, where it has a disjunct distribution, occurring in ...

'', ''

Menziesia pilosa ''Menziesia'' was a genus of flowering plant in the family Ericaceae. More recently it has been reclassified within the genus ''Rhododendron''. it was formally transferred in 2011. Species * ''Menziesia ciliicalyx'' (Miq.) Maxim. = ''Rhododendro ...

'', ''

Rhododendron catawbiense ''Rhododendron catawbiense'', with common names Catawba rosebay, Catawba rhododendron, mountain rosebay, purple ivy, purple laurel, purple rhododendron, red laurel, rosebay, rosebay laurel, is a species of '' Rhododendron'' native to the eastern ...

'', ''

Heuchera villosa ''Heuchera villosa'', the hairy alumroot, is a small evergreen perennial native to the Eastern United States. It is found only on rock outcrops, growing on cliffs and boulders. ''Heuchera villosa'' is sometimes grown ornamentally, with some cult ...

'', '' Micranthes petiolaris'', and species of

aster Aster or ASTER may refer to: Biology * ''Aster'' (genus), a genus of flowering plants ** List of ''Aster'' synonyms, other genera formerly included in ''Aster'' and still called asters in English * Aster (cell biology), a cellular structure shap ...

sedges The Cyperaceae are a family of graminoid (grass-like), monocotyledonous flowering plants known as sedges. The family is large, with some 5,500 known species described in about 90 genera, the largest being the "true sedges" genus ''Carex'' wit ...

, and

grass Poaceae () or Gramineae () is a large and nearly ubiquitous family of monocotyledonous flowering plants commonly known as grasses. It includes the cereal grasses, bamboos and the grasses of natural grassland and species cultivated in lawns an ...

es. The forests around the cliffs are dominated by

red spruce ''Picea rubens'', commonly known as red spruce, is a species of spruce native to eastern North America, ranging from eastern Quebec and Nova Scotia, west to the Adirondack Mountains and south through New England along the Appalachians to western ...

(''Picea rubens'').''Geum radiatum''.
Center for Plant Conservation. Fifteen known populations exist. Three others have been

extirpated Local extinction, also known as extirpation, refers to a species (or other taxon) of plant or animal that ceases to exist in a chosen geographic area of study, though it still exists elsewhere. Local extinctions are contrasted with global extinct ...

; these occurred in areas that were popular recreational sites for

hiking Hiking is a long, vigorous walk, usually on trails or footpaths in the countryside. Walking for pleasure developed in Europe during the eighteenth century.AMATO, JOSEPH A. "Mind over Foot: Romantic Walking and Rambling." In ''On Foot: A Histor ...

mountain climbing Mountaineering or alpinism, is a set of outdoor activities that involves ascending tall mountains. Mountaineering-related activities include traditional outdoor climbing, skiing, and traversing via ferratas. Indoor climbing, sport climbing, a ...

, and other uses. Threats to the remaining populations include

erosion Erosion is the action of surface processes (such as water flow or wind) that removes soil, rock, or dissolved material from one location on the Earth's crust, and then transports it to another location where it is deposited. Erosion is distin ...

, soil compaction from trampling, and development of facilities for recreation, such as trails,

ski slope A ski is a narrow strip of semi-rigid material worn underfoot to glide over snow. Substantially longer than wide and characteristically employed in pairs, skis are attached to ski boots with ski bindings, with either a free, lockable, or partial ...

parking lot A parking lot (American English) or car park (British English), also known as a car lot, is a cleared area intended for parking vehicles. The term usually refers to an area dedicated only for parking, with a durable or semi-durable surface ...

s, and

bridge A bridge is a structure built to span a physical obstacle (such as a body of water, valley, road, or rail) without blocking the way underneath. It is constructed for the purpose of providing passage over the obstacle, which is usually somethi ...

Poaching Poaching has been defined as the illegal hunting or capturing of wild animals, usually associated with land use rights. Poaching was once performed by impoverished peasants for subsistence purposes and to supplement meager diets. It was set a ...

is also a problem for this species as a mountain wildflower with showy yellow blooms.

Pollution Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment that cause adverse change. Pollution can take the form of any substance (solid, liquid, or gas) or energy (such as radioactivity, heat, sound, or light). Pollutants, the ...

, including

acid rain Acid rain is rain or any other form of precipitation that is unusually acidic, meaning that it has elevated levels of hydrogen ions (low pH). Most water, including drinking water, has a neutral pH that exists between 6.5 and 8.5, but acid ...

, 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. Climate change threatens the long term viability of this species.

References

External links

United States Department of Agriculture Plants Profile
{{Taxonbar, from=Q5554821 radiatum Plants described in 1803 Flora of North Carolina Flora of Tennessee