Species Details
Geum triflorum Pursh
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium Read more about this collection »
LeavesBasal leaves numerous, unequally pinnately divided, oblong to egg-shaped, 3-15 cm long; stem leaves few, opposite
FlowersInflorescence cymose; flowers 1-9, usually nodding, radially symmetric; sepals 5, triangular to ovate-lance-shaped, 8-12 mm long, purplish; petals 5, elliptic or elliptic-egg-shaped, yellowish-white to pink or purplish; stamens numerous; pistils 1, ovary superior
Fruits and SeedsAchenes, numerous in feathery clusters, pear-shaped, 3-6 mm long, beaked, feathery-hairy
Scientific Name
Geum triflorum Pursh
Common Name
old man’s whiskers
General Description
Perennial herb, soft- to coarse-hairy throughout, rhizomatous; stems erect, 20-40 cm tall, purplish, in dense clusters
Leaves
Basal leaves numerous, unequally pinnately divided, oblong to egg-shaped, 3-15 cm long; stem leaves few, opposite
Flowers
Inflorescence cymose; flowers 1-9, usually nodding, radially symmetric; sepals 5, triangular to ovate-lance-shaped, 8-12 mm long, purplish; petals 5, elliptic or elliptic-egg-shaped, yellowish-white to pink or purplish;…
Inflorescence cymose; flowers 1-9, usually nodding, radially symmetric; sepals 5, triangular to ovate-lance-shaped, 8-12 mm long, purplish; petals 5, elliptic or elliptic-egg-shaped, yellowish-white to pink or purplish; stamens numerous; pistils 1, ovary superior
Fruits and Seeds
Achenes, numerous in feathery clusters, pear-shaped, 3-6 mm long, beaked, feathery-hairy
Phenology
Flowers from May to June
Notes
Similar species:
Potentilla anserina
P. anserina can be distinguished from G. triflorum by leaves that are glabrous above, and yellow flowers.
Medical uses:
The blackfoot boiled the roots in water and used the…
Similar species:
Potentilla anserina
P. anserina can be distinguished from G. triflorum by leaves that are glabrous above, and yellow flowers.
Medical uses:
The blackfoot boiled the roots in water and used the decoction in the treatment of sore or swollen eyes.
Ethno-botanical uses:
The blackfoot crushed the ripe seeds of G. triflorum and used it as a perfume.
Range/Distribution
Alberta: The foothills and praries
CAN (BC, MB, NT, ON, SK, YT); USA (AZ, CA, CO, IA, ID, IL, MI, MN, MT, ND, NM, NV, NY, OR, SD, UT, WA, WI, WY)
Citation
Page Citation for Geum triflorum Pursh
Page Citation
"Species Details - Geum triflorum Pursh, University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/1-4874. Accessed 06 Feb. 2025.
Specimen Information
There are 31 specimens of this Species.
46535 - Geum triflorum Pursh
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameold man’s whiskers
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Cypress Hills Provincial Park, Elkwater Lake
Date Collected1945-06-08
111319 - Geum triflorum Pursh
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameold man’s whiskers
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Onoway
Date Collected1964-06-17
116541 - Geum triflorum Pursh
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameold man’s whiskers
Place CollectedNorth America: United States, Montana, Toole County, Pratt Canyon
Date Collected1975-06-05
118825 - Geum triflorum Pursh
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameold man’s whiskers
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, RB Miller Biological Station
Date Collected1967-06-09
118401 - Geum triflorum Pursh
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameold man’s whiskers
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Kootenay Plains Ecological Reserve
Date Collected2007-06-21
119267 - Geum triflorum Pursh
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameold man’s whiskers
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Rumsey Ecological Reserve
Date Collected1997
119112 - Geum triflorum Pursh
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameold man’s whiskers
Place CollectedNorth America: United States, Montana, Missoula County
Date Collected1962-04-25
119953 - Geum triflorum Pursh
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameold man’s whiskers
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Brûlé
Date Collected1965-06-19
121305 - Geum triflorum Pursh
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameold man’s whiskers
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Nisku
Date Collected2009-06-03
130149 - Geum triflorum Pursh
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameold man’s whiskers
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Ghost River Forest Reserve
Date Collected1964-06-03
130150 - Geum triflorum Pursh
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameold man’s whiskers
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Milk River
Date Collected1979-05-23
130151 - Geum triflorum Pursh
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameold man’s whiskers
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Battle River
Date Collected1979-06-08
130152 - Geum triflorum Pursh
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameold man’s whiskers
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Kootenay Plains Ecological Reserve
Date Collected1981-06-21
127098 - Geum triflorum Pursh
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameold man’s whiskers
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Kinsella Ranch
Date Collected2010-05-27
127099 - Geum triflorum Pursh
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameold man’s whiskers
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Kinsella Ranch
Date Collected2010-08-15
128987 - Geum triflorum Pursh
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameold man’s whiskers
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, British Columbia, Sparwood
Date Collected1981-07-17
131840 - Geum triflorum Pursh
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameold man’s whiskers
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Tolman Badlands Heritage Rangeland Natural Area
Date Collected2012-06-03
134939 - Geum triflorum Pursh
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameold man’s whiskers
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Palmer Property
Date Collected2009-06-13
137113 - Geum triflorum Pursh
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameold man’s whiskers
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Sommerfeldt Ranch
Date Collected1995-05-27/1995-05-28
136955 - Geum triflorum Pursh
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameold man’s whiskers
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Sommerfeldt Ranch
Date Collected1994-05-28/1994-05-29
134321 - Geum triflorum Pursh
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameold man’s whiskers
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Edwand
Date Collected2009-07-31