Geraniaceae: the Geranium Family
So why are they sometimes called "Cranesbills"? "Geranos" is a Greek word That translates as "crane"." The seeds of (the majority of) this family have a long 'beak' in the centre of the seed capsule.
Epsom & Ewell Flower Finder
Geraniaceae: the Geranium Family
"I wish these wouldn't grow everywhere" you say. They are happy in shade, so why not grow the wild geraniums along with their fancy cousins? Pollinating insects are so reliant on them and the seeds are eaten by game birds and small mammals. Herb Robert grows in my garden along with Dovesfoot Cranesbill - I pull up what I don't want. Greenfinches love Herb Robert seed - they look rather annoyed when the seed capsules explode as they are pecked at!
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Erodium cicutarium
Common Stork's-bill.
Feathery leaves, hairy stems and buds. Plant up to 0.6 metre high.
About
The seed utilises a powerful spring. The projected seed uncoils in damp conditions. As the weather becomes hot, it recoils before your eyes and uses the same spring as a drill to push the seed into the soil. How cool is that?
The larvae of the Brown Argus feed on this cranesbill. This butterfly loves wasteland - railway embankments, roadsides on motorways. This plant made her appearance in Cuddington, Surrey.
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Geranium pyrenacium
Hedgerow Cranesbill.
Hairy leaves and stems. A sprawling plant up to 0.6 metre high.
About
Sometimes tricky to identify because of the variation in flower colour. Leaves are opposite on the stem like "wings".
Another larval food plant of our friend the Brown Argus! Don't let the small flower size fool you - it is a bee magnet!
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Geranium robertianum
Herb Robert, Old Stinky-Bob.
Hairy. Deeply cut leaves, with foliage and stems often turning red. Plant up to 0.7 metre high.
About
The plant has a strong, "burning plastic" smell when disturbed. The pink flowers are striking and a patch of these cheers me up on my walk from the station. It has many folklore names; "Old Stinky-Bob" hails from South East London, a memory of my Mother's.
The Barred Carpet moth is one of many insects attracted by the nectar. Although the plant pops up in unexpected places - including my plant pots - I'm happy to leave it be.
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More information
SURREY'S WILDFLOWERING PROJECT is a community-led initiative, aiming to build a partnership that enables wildflowering in the county as well as promoting and celebrating the boroughs/districts diverse environments. Do take the time to find out more about the project and if you can get involved, even in a small way, you will make a difference.
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