Geum quellyon

Geum quellyon, commonly called scarlet avens, Chilean avens, Double Bloody Mary, or Grecian rose, is a perennial herb in the family Rosaceae. It is native to the central and southern regions of Chile. "G. quellyon" has been introduced to other countries including Belgium, Bolivia, and the United Kingdom, where it was first planted in 1826.
Description.
Macroscale.
Plants reach a height of between 6cm and 100cm. Leaves are compound, with between 3 and 10 pairs of leaflets. "G. quellyon" grows a thick taproot which smells of cloves when broken due to the presence of aromatic compounds. Flowers vary in colour from yellow-orange to pink-red.
Microscale.
When in metaphase, somatic chromosomes of "G. quellyon" (and of "G. magellanicum", another species of "Geum" native to Chile) are shorter and fatter than those in other "Geum" species.
Distribution.
"G. quellyon" is native to the following regions of Chile: Araucanía, Aysén, Biobío, Los Lagos (including the island of Chiloé), Magallanes, Maule, Metropolitana de Santiago, Ñuble, O’Higgins, Los Ríos, and Valparaíso.
Uses.
Medicinal.
"G. quellyon" has been used in the traditional medicine of the Mapuche people of Chile for tooth neuralgia, gastric inflammation, and prostatitis and to regulate menstruation. A methanolic extract is obtained from its roots.
Observations of a kidney transplant patient showed a pharmacological interaction between "G. quellyon" and cyclosporine, an immunosuppressant used to prevent transplant rejection.
Horticultural.
"Geum quellyon" is commonly cultivated as a garden ornamental, and in that context is sometimes called "Geum chiloense". "G. quellyon" grows best in full sun to part shade, in moist but well-drained soil. Plants become damaged and do not recover well if exposed to temperatures of -4.4°C or below.
Cultivars include:
Diseases.
"G. quellyon" may be affected by pathogens belonging to the genus "Peronospora."