Wasowski, Sally and Andy
Geranium maculatum L.
Spotted geranium, Wild geranium, Cranesbill
Geraniaceae (Geranium Family)
Showy, pink, five-petaled flowers, occur at the top of leafy, 1-3 ft. stem. Lavender flowers are in loose clusters of 2-5 at the ends of branches above a pair of deeply 5-lobed leaves. In addition to its flowers, this
perennial is well known for its 5- to 6-parted, deeply cut leaves. It colonizes by thick rhizomes but is not aggressive.
Geraniums are recognized by their palmately-lobed leaves and distinctive capsules. Bicknells Cranesbill (
G. bicknellii) has much smaller flowers, notched petals, and more finely cut leaves. It too is found in the Northeast and Midwest. A more southerly species, the closely related Carolina Geranium (
G. carolinianum), occurs from Florida to New England and westward to Kansas and Wyoming. It has a more compact flower cluster. The common name cranesbill, as well as the
genus name, from the Greek geranos (a crane), relate to the bill-like capsule. A number of species are naturalized from Europe.
Image Gallery:
26 photo(s) available
Plant Characteristics
Duration: Perennial Habit: Herb Leaf Retention: Semi-evergreen Size Notes: 1 to 2 feet high
Flower: Flowers 1 to 1.5 inches across
Fruit: 1 inch
Size Class: 1-3 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Pink , Purple
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul
Bloom Notes: Color ranges from pink to white to lavender. deadheading will prolong bloom.
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , CT , DE , GA , IL , IN , IA , KS , KY , LA , ME , MD , MA , MI , MN , MS , MO , NH , NJ , NY , NC , ND , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , VT , VA , WV , WI , DC
Canada: MB ,
NL ,
NS ,
ON ,
QC Native Distribution: Newfoundland, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and Ontario, ME to GA, w. to Man., s.e. SD, e. KS & AR
Native Habitat: Dry or moist woods; woodland edges; dappled meadows
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N) Growing Conditions
Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
Soil Description: Rich, acid
Conditions Comments: Wild geranium does well under a variety of conditions.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Good for Eastern shade gardens,
fern gardens, and woodland slopes.
Use Wildlife: Seeds attract Mourning Doves, Bobwhite Quail, and White-tailed Deer
Use Medicinal: Entire plant was boiled to make tea for diarrhea. (Weiner)
Roots steeped in water used as a rinse for diarrhea and inflamed gums. (Weiner)
Tea used as rinse for sore throat, thrush, and mouth ulcers.(Weiner)
Dried, powdered roots applied to bleeding blood vessels to promote coagulation. (Weiner)
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Attracts: Birds
Deer Resistant: No
2012-10-03
