Geranium

This article is about the botanical genus called Geranium.

For the summer bedding plants often called geranium,
see Pelargonium. For other uses, see Geranium (disambiguation).
Not to be confused with germanium.
Geranium is a genus of 422 species of owering annual,
biennial, and perennial plants that are commonly known
as the cranesbills. They are found throughout the
temperate regions of the world and the mountains of
the tropics, but mostly in the eastern part of the
Mediterranean region. The long, palmately cleft leaves
are broadly circular in form. The owers have ve petals
and are coloured white, pink, purple or blue, often with
distinctive veining. Geraniums will grow in any soil as
long as it is not waterlogged. Propagation is by semiripe
cuttings in summer, by seed, or by division in autumn or
spring.
The genus name is derived from the Greek
(granos) or (gerans) crane. The English
name cranesbill derives from the appearance of the fruit
capsule of some of the species. Species in the Geranium
genus have a distinctive mechanism for seed dispersal.
This consists of a beak-like column which springs open
when ripe and casts the seeds some distance. The fruit
capsule consists of ve cells, each containing one seed,
joined to a column produced from the centre of the old
ower. The common name cranesbill comes from the
shape of the unsprung column, which in some species is
long and looks like the bill of a crane. However, many
species in this genus do not have a long beak-like column.

Showing the bill and seed dispersal mechanism of Geranium

pratense

classied in genus Erodium, including the plants known

as larees in North America.

The term hardy geranium is often applied to geraniums

to distinguish them from the pelargoniums. However, not
Geraniums are eaten by the larvae of some Lepidoptera all geranium species are winter-hardy (see below).
species including brown-tail and mouse moth.
The species Geranium viscosissimum (sticky geranium) is 1.1
considered to be protocarnivorous.

Structure

The shape of the owers oers one way of distinguishing between the two genera Geranium and Pelargonium. Geranium owers have ve very similar petals, and
1 Confusion with pelargoniums
are thus radially symmetrical (actinomorphic), whereas
pelargonium owers have two upper petals which are difConfusingly, geranium is also the common name of
ferent from the three lower petals, so the owers have a
members of the genus Pelargonium (sometimes known
single plane of symmetry (zygomorphic).
as 'storksbill'), which are also in the Geraniaceae family.
These are generally half-hardy plants which are either
grown from seed every year, or oered as bedding in
spring and discarded after owering. Linnaeus originally 2 Cultivation
included all the species in one genus, Geranium, but they
were later separated into two genera by Charles LHritier A number of geranium species are cultivated for horticulin 1789. Other former members of the genus are now tural use and for pharmaceutical products. Some of the
1

more commonly grown species include:

All the above species are perennials and generally winterhardy plants, grown for their attractive owers and foliage. They are long-lived and most have a mounding
habit, with palmately lobed foliage. Some species have
spreading rhizomes. They are normally grown in part
shade to full sun, in well-draining but moisture retentive soils, rich in humus.[1] Other perennial species grown
for their owers and foliage include: G. argenteum, G.
eriostemon, G. farreri, G. nodosum, G. procurrens, G. pylzowianum, G. renardii, G. traversii, G. tuberosum, G. versicolor, G. wallichianum and G. wlassovianum. Some of
these are not winter-hardy in cold areas and are grown in
specialized gardens like rock gardens.[2] Geranium 'Johnsons Blue' is a hybrid between G. himalayense (southwestern China), with G. pratense (European meadow
cranesbill).[3]
The following hybrid cultivars have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit (other cultivars are dealt with under their species name - see above).

REFERENCES

bill)

Geranium robertianum (herb

robert)

Geranium maderense

Gallery

Geranium phaeum - from Thom

Flora von Deutschland, sterreich und der Schweiz
1885

Geranium maculatum

Geranium arboreum

4 See also

Geranium platypetalum

List of cranesbill species

Pelargonium graveolens, from which Geranium essential oil is distilled

5 References

Geranium sanguineum
[1] Phillips, Ellen; Colston Burrell, C. (1993), Rodales illustrated encyclopedia of perennials, Emmaus, Pa.: Rodale
Press, pp. 37376, ISBN 0-87596-570-9
[2] Jelitto, Leo; Schacht, Wilhelm; Epp, Translated by
Michael E.; John Philip Baumgardt, Technical Editor
(1990), Hardy herbaceous perennials, 1, Portland, Or.:
Timber Press, pp. 26064, ISBN 0-88192-159-9

Geranium pratense (meadow cranes-

[3] Paghats Garden. Paghat.com. Retrieved 2013-09-17.

[4] RHS Plant Selector Geranium 'Ann Folkard' AGM /

RHS Gardening. Apps.rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 2013-0917.
[5] RHS Plant Selector Geranium 'Dilys AGM / RHS Gardening. Apps.rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 2013-09-17.
[6] RHS Plant Selector Geranium 'Johnsons Blue' / RHS
Gardening. Apps.rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 2013-09-17.
[7] RHS Plant Selector Geranium 'Mavis Simpson' AGM /
RHS Gardening. Apps.rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 2013-0917.
[8] RHS Plant Selector Geranium 'Orion' AGM / RHS Gardening. Apps.rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 2013-09-17.
[9] RHS Plant Selector Geranium ROZANNE 'Gerwat'
PBR AGM / RHS Gardening. Apps.rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 2013-09-17.
[10] RHS Plant Selector Geranium oxonianum 'A.T. Johnson' AGM / RHS Gardening. Apps.rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 2013-09-17.
[11] RHS Plant Selector Results / RHS Gardening.
Apps.rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 2013-09-17.

Bibliography
Aedo, Carlos; Garmendia, Felix Munoz (February
1996). Some Notes on the Sectional Nomenclature
of Geranium (Geraniaceae)". Taxon. 45 (1): 104.
doi:10.2307/1222593.
Genus Geranium in North America: the Perennials

External links
ITIS list of Geranium species
Geranium Taxonomic Information System
Photograph of some Geranium
Preparing Geraniums for Winter

8 TEXT AND IMAGE SOURCES, CONTRIBUTORS, AND LICENSES

Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses

8.1

Text

Geranium Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geranium?oldid=750439900 Contributors: Vicki Rosenzweig, Ramin Nakisa, Sfdan,

TeunSpaans, Menchi, Stan Shebs, , Loren Rosen, Imc, Robbot, RedWolf, WormRunner, Seglea, Fuelbottle, MPF, Wouterhagens, Yath, Quadell, JoJan, Perey, DanielCD, Rich Farmbrough, Cacycle, Bobo192, Hesperian, Geschichte, Ranveig, Anthony Appleyard, Katefan0, Japanese Searobin, Chilepine~enwiki, Gmaxwell, Woohookitty, Richard Barlow, Teemu Maki~enwiki, NeonMerlin,
Ricardo Carneiro Pires, Vuong Ngan Ha, Daderot, SchuminWeb, Eubot, Gdrbot, YurikBot, RussBot, Groogle, ENeville, Raven4x4x,
Open2universe, Allens, Junglecat, TomR, WikiWookie, Unyoyega, Hardyplants, Alex earlier account, Eug, Chris the speller, Rkitko,
SchftyThree, Gruzd, Polyhedron, Darth Panda, Kingdon, MrDarwin, Mgiganteus1, Sannab, SubSeven, JMK, Triage, Hebrides, Alvesgaspar, ST47, Thijs!bot, Barticus88, SGGH, JAnDbot, Michael Goodyear, Dougz1, Peter coxhead, Starrycupz, Eric in SF, Colchicum,
Richard New Forest, Idioma-bot, Somanypeople, TXiKiBoT, Miranda, NeciFiX, Ageyban, MeegsC, BlueCerinthe, Ssalb1, Escape
Orbit, Keldrean, WikipedianMarlith, ClueBot, Jan1nad, Excirial, BOTarate, Thehelpfulone, Aitias, Addbot, Some jerk on the Internet,
Fieldday-sunday, O sanctum, Numbo3-bot, Karduelis, Lightbot, Zorrobot, Jarble, Legobot, Luckas-bot, Yobot, TaBOT-zerem, Julia W,
Amirobot, THEN WHO WAS PHONE?, AnomieBOT, Wikieditoroftoday, AdjustShift, Gigemag76, TechBot, GrouchoBot, RibotBOT,
Lazumc, Hamamelis, Simuliid, Pinethicket, Lotje, Dinamik-bot, Vrenator, Reaper Eternal, Bento00, EmausBot, Alpsdake, ClueBot NG,
PaleCloudedWhite, Hectonichus, Widr, DavidAnstiss, Helpful Pixie Bot, SchroCat, Plantdrew, Midnight Green, Darorcilmir, Dexbot,
Aymankamelwiki, Seacactus 13, Tortie tude, Sarr X, Mailmindlin, Factory and Anonymous: 78

8.2

Images

File:Commons-logo.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg License: PD Contributors: ? Original artist: ?

File:Geranium-robertianum(Samen).jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ee/Geranium-robertianum%
28Samen%29.jpg License: CC-BY-SA-3.0 Contributors: ? Original artist: ?
File:GeraniumMaderense.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/41/GeraniumMaderense.jpg License: CCBY-SA-3.0 Contributors: Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons by Sfan00_IMG using CommonsHelper. Original artist: The original
uploader was Ramin Nakisa at English Wikipedia
File:Geranium_platypetalum1.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/47/Geranium_platypetalum1.jpg License: CC-BY-SA-3.0 Contributors: caliban.mpiz-koeln.mpg.de/mavica/index.html part of www.biolib.de Original artist: Kurt Stber
[1]
File:Geranium_pratense_(Meadow_Cranesbill).jpg Source:
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pratense_%28Meadow_Cranesbill%29.jpg License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Contributors: Own work Original artist: Julie Anne Workman
File:Geranium_sanguineum0.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3d/Geranium_sanguineum0.jpg License: CC-BY-SA-3.0 Contributors: caliban.mpiz-koeln.mpg.de/mavica/index.html part of www.biolib.de Original artist: Kurt Stber
[1]
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phaeum0.jpg License: Public domain Contributors: ? Original artist: ?
File:Starr_980718-1820_Geranium_arboreum.jpg
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980718-1820_Geranium_arboreum.jpg License: CC BY 3.0 Contributors: Plants of Hawaii, Image 980718-1820 from
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8.3

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