Water Avens, or Billy's Button, is a small- to medium-sized perennial. The flowers are nodding and grow on long stalks, they are bell-shaped and a soft red colour. The few leaves are lobed and toothed. The plant is downy.
This delicate-coloured and unusual plant grows, though not prolifically, in damp places near woods and streams in many parts of Ireland; it is more widespread in the north of the country than the south. It is related to Wood Avens. A few varieties of Water Avens are grown in gardens. Flowering time is May and June.
Water Avens is widespread in Britain, though not in the south-east, and in most of Europe and much of North America.