Perennial of the Rosaceae family, Geum rivale is a circumboreal species, widely spread in Europe, temperate Asia, and North America. It is confined to wet environments: stream banks, marshy meadows, tall herb communities, alder groves, and damp edges, from plains to the subalpine zone.
It forms clumps 30 to 60 cm high, with erect and branched stems, tinged with dark red. The basal leaves are pinnate, with a terminal lobe significantly larger, medium green and slightly hairy.
What immediately distinguishes this species from its congeners is the posture of its flowers: they are drooping, borne on arched peduncles, and only half-open. The sepals are reddish-brown to dark purple, and the petals salmon pink to pale orange, crumpled, partially concealed by the colored calyx. The whole gives an impression of discretion and very particular dark elegance, clearly visible in the photo.
In its natural habitat, its flowering extends from May to July. In cultivation, it can bloom from April-May.
It thrives in fresh to moist soil, rich in humus, in partial shade or light shade. It is suitable for streamside gardens, damp woodlands, and naturalistic compositions. Several cultivars with more intense tones have been selected from this species.