[6] The species has a yellow flower and green foliage, a height of 1.6 feet at maturity and grows a single crown.

[2] It is from the Rosaceae family, meaning the G. vernum's simple rotate flower has five single petals, a sepal and stamens.

[7] G. vernum grow in floodplains, along with Floerkea proserpinacoides, Glechoma hederacea, Laportea canadensis, Leersia virginica, Lilium canadense, Poa alsodes, and Viburnum acerifolium.

[4][5] The species was found to inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus in the cream filling meant for various pastries in the mid 1940's.

The plant was then labeled as Geum canadense until it was eventually reclassified based on the small mark of its calyx and the elongated stripe on its receptacle.