Geranium

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Geranium
Geranium February 2008-1.jpg
Geranium dissectum
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Geraniales
Family: Geraniaceae
Genus: Geranium
L.
Species

See list.

Geranium is a genus of 422 species of annual, biennial, and perennial plants that are commonly known as geraniums or cranesbills. They are found throughout the temperate regions of the world and the mountains of the tropics, with the greatest diversity in the eastern part of the Mediterranean region. [1]

Contents

The palmately cleft leaves are broadly circular in form. The flowers have five petals and are coloured white, pink, purple, or blue, often with distinctive veining. [1] Geraniums will grow in any soil as long as it is not waterlogged. [2] Propagation is by semiripe cuttings in summer, by seed, or by division in autumn or spring. [3]

Geraniums are eaten by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including brown-tail, ghost moth, and mouse moth. At least several species of Geranium are gynodioecious. [4] [5] [6] The species Geranium viscosissimum (sticky geranium) is considered to be protocarnivorous. [7]

Name

Floral diagram of a Geranium garden hybrid called 'Ann Thomson', showing 5 free sepals, 5 free petals, 10 free fertile stamens, and a superior ovary consisting of 5 merged carpels, with 5 style branches Floral diagram Geranium.jpg
Floral diagram of a Geranium garden hybrid called ‘Ann Thomson’, showing 5 free sepals, 5 free petals, 10 free fertile stamens, and a superior ovary consisting of 5 merged carpels, with 5 style branches

The genus name is derived from Ancient Greek γέρανος (géranos) 'crane'. The English name 'cranesbill' derives from the resemblance of the fruit capsule of some of the species to a crane's head and bill. The ovary portion forms the head and the prolonged stigma creates the appearance of a beak. [8] [9]

Description

The flowers are typically five-petaled and white to purple. The leaves are palmate divided into narrow, pointed segments. [8]

The fruit capsule consists of five cells joined to a column produced from the centre of the flower. The cells form lobes which eventually separate, each containing one seed. [8] When the fruit is ripe, the beak-like stigma springs open and casts the ovoid, streamlined seeds some distance, dispersing the seeds. [10]

Confusion with Pelargonium

The "bill" and seed dispersal mechanism of G. pratense Geranium sanguineum02.jpg
The "bill" and seed dispersal mechanism of G. pratense

Confusingly, "geranium" is also the common name of members of the genus Pelargonium , which are also in the family Geraniaceae and are widely grown as horticultural bedding plants. Linnaeus originally included all the species in one genus, Geranium, but they were later separated into two genera by Charles L’Héritier in 1789. [11] Other former members of the genus are now classified in Erodium , including the plants known as filarees in North America. [12]

The term "hardy geranium" is often applied to horticultural Geraniums to distinguish them from the Pelargoniums, which are not winter-hardy in temperate horticulture. [13] [14] However, not all Geranium species are winter-hardy (see below). [15]

The shape of the flowers offers one way of distinguishing between the two genera Geranium and Pelargonium. Geranium flowers have five very similar petals, and are thus radially symmetrical (actinomorphic), whereas Pelargonium (and also Erodium) flowers have two upper petals which are different from the three lower petals, so the flowers have a single plane of symmetry (zygomorphic). [16] [17]

Cultivation

A number of geranium species are cultivated for horticultural use and for pharmaceutical products. Some of the more commonly grown species include:

All the above species are perennials and generally winter-hardy plants, grown for their attractive flowers 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. [18] Other perennial species grown for their flowers and foliage include: Geranium 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. [19] Geranium 'Johnson's Blue' is a hybrid between G. himalayense (southwestern China), with G. pratense (European meadow cranesbill). [20]

Cultivars

Close up of a geranium flower (probably not 'Johnson's Blue') Geranium (probably 'Johnson's Blue').jpg
Close up of a geranium flower (probably not 'Johnson's Blue')

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):- [21]

  • 'Ann Folkard' [22]
  • 'A. T. Johnson' (G. × oxonianum) [23]
  • 'Ballerina' [24]
  • 'Blue Cloud' [25]
  • Blue Sunrise='Blogold' (PBR) [26]
  • 'Brookside' [27]
  • 'Danny Boy' [28]
  • 'Dilys' [29]
  • 'Gypsy' (G. × lindavicum) [30]
  • 'Ivan' [31]
  • 'Mavis Simpson' [32]
  • 'Nimbus' [33]
  • 'Orion' [34]
  • Patricia='Brempat' [35]
  • Rothbury Gem='Gerfos' [36]
  • Rozanne='Gerwat' [37]
  • 'Russell Prichard' [38]
  • 'Sirak' [39]
  • 'Wageningen' [40]
  • 'Wargrave Pink' (G. × oxonianum) [41]

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>Geranium cinereum</i> Species of flowering plant

Geranium cinereum, the ashy cranesbill, is a species of flowering plant in the family Geraniaceae, native to the Pyrenees. Growing to 50 cm (20 in) tall and wide, it is a small, deciduous or semi-evergreen perennial usually grown for low ground cover, rockeries or underplanting larger subjects like roses. Leaves are deeply divided and grey-green – whence the Latin specific epithet cinereum "ash-grey". It flowers in summer, with striking black-eyed flowers with black stamens. The plant grows in full sunlight, and is hardy down to −15 °C (5 °F).

<i>Geranium maderense</i> Species of flowering plant

Geranium maderense, known as giant herb-Robert or the Madeira cranesbill, is a species of flowering plant in the family Geraniaceae, native to the island of Madeira. It is sometimes confused with another Madeira endemic, Geranium palmatum.

<i>Geranium <span style="font-style:normal;">×</span> magnificum</i> Species of flowering plant

Geranium × magnificum, the purple cranesbill, is a species of hardy flowering herbaceous perennial plant in the genus Geranium, family Geraniaceae. The multiplication symbol × indicates that it is the result of hybridisation, in this case between Geranium platypetalum and Geranium ibericum. Growing into a clump 70 cm (28 in) high and broad, it has the decorative, deeply-lobed leaves typical of the genus Geranium. Violet-blue flowers with darker veins are borne relatively briefly in early summer. Extremely hardy, to below −20 °C (−4 °F), it is suitable for cultivation throughout all temperate regions. This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

<i>Pelargonium</i> Genus of plants

Pelargonium is a genus of flowering plants that includes about 280 species of perennials, succulents, and shrubs, commonly called geraniums, pelargoniums, or storksbills. Geranium is also the botanical name and common name of a separate genus of related plants, also known as cranesbills. Both genera belong to the family Geraniaceae. Carl Linnaeus originally included all the species in one genus, Geranium, and they were later separated into two genera by Charles Louis L'Héritier de Brutelle in 1789.

<i>Delphinium</i> Genus of flowering plants

Delphinium is a genus of about 300 species of annual and perennial flowering plants in the family Ranunculaceae, native throughout the Northern Hemisphere and also on the high mountains of tropical Africa. The genus was erected by Carl Linnaeus.

<i>Alstroemeria</i> Genus of South American flowering plants

Alstroemeria, commonly called the Peruvian lily or lily of the Incas, is a genus of flowering plants in the family Alstroemeriaceae. They are all native to South America, although some have become naturalized in the United States, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Madeira and the Canary Islands. Almost all of the species are restricted to one of two distinct centers of diversity; one in central Chile, the other in eastern Brazil. Species of Alstroemeria from Chile are winter-growing plants, while those of Brazil are summer growing. All are long-lived perennials except A. graminea, a diminutive annual from the Atacama Desert of Chile.

<i>Osteospermum</i> Genus of plants

Osteospermum, is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the Calenduleae, one of the smaller tribes of the sunflower/daisy family Asteraceae. They are known as the daisybushes or African daisies. Its species have been given several common names, including African daisy, South African daisy, Cape daisy and blue-eyed daisy.

<i>Impatiens walleriana</i> Species of flowering plant

Impatiens walleriana, also known as busy Lizzie, balsam, sultana, or simply impatiens, is a species of the genus Impatiens, native to eastern Africa from Kenya to Mozambique. The Latin specific epithet walleriana honours a British missionary, Horace Waller (1833–1896).

<i>Geranium sanguineum</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Geraniaceae

Geranium sanguineum, common names bloody crane's-bill or bloody geranium, is a species of hardy flowering herbaceous perennial plant in the cranesbill family Geraniaceae. It is the county flower of Northumberland.

<i>Geranium maculatum</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Geraniaceae

Geranium maculatum, the wild geranium, spotted geranium, or wood geranium, is a perennial plant native to woodland in eastern North America, from southern Manitoba and southwestern Quebec south to Alabama and Georgia and west to Oklahoma and South Dakota.

<i>Geranium sylvaticum</i> Species of flowering plant

Geranium sylvaticum, the wood cranesbill or woodland geranium, is a species of hardy flowering plant in the family Geraniaceae, native to Europe and northern Turkey.

<i>Erodium</i> Genus of flowering plants

Erodium is a genus of flowering plants in the botanical family Geraniaceae. The genus includes about 60 species, native to North Africa, Indomalaya, the Middle East, and Australia. They are perennials, annuals, or subshrubs, with five-petalled flowers in shades of white, pink, and purple, that strongly resemble the better-known Geranium (cranesbill). Cultivated plants are known as filarees or heron's bill in North America, whereas in the British Isles they are usually called storksbills.

<i>Geranium pratense</i> Species of flowering plant

Geranium pratense, the meadow crane's-bill or meadow geranium, is a species of flowering plant in the family Geraniaceae, native to Europe and Asia. Forming a clump up to 1 m (3.3 ft) broad, it is a herbaceous perennial with hairy stems and lax saucer-shaped blooms of pale violet. It is extremely hardy to at least −20 °C (−4 °F), reflecting its origins in the Altai Mountains of central Asia.

<i>Geranium macrorrhizum</i> Species of flowering plant

Geranium macrorrhizum is a species of hardy flowering herbaceous perennial plant in the genus Geranium, family Geraniaceae. It is native to the South east Alps and the Balkans. Its common names include bigroot geranium, Bulgarian geranium, and rock crane's-bill.

<i>Geranium dalmaticum</i> Species of flowering plant

Geranium dalmaticum, commonly called Dalmatian cranesbill, is a species of hardy flowering herbaceous perennial plant in the genus Geranium of the family Geraniaceae. It is native to Dalmatia on the west coast of Croatia. Growing to only 10 cm (3.9 in) tall by up to 50 cm (20 in) broad, it is cultivated as a garden subject in temperate regions for its low mound of aromatic leaves and soft mauve colored flowers. The palmately lobed glossy green leaves are tinted red in the Autumn. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

<i>Geranium endressii</i> Species of flowering plant

Geranium endressii, commonly called Endres cranesbill or French crane's-bill, is a species of hardy flowering herbaceous or semi-evergreen perennial plant in the genus Geranium, family Geraniaceae.

<i>Geranium psilostemon</i> Species of flowering plant

Geranium psilostemon, commonly called Armenian cranesbill, is a species of hardy flowering herbaceous perennial plant in the genus Geranium, family Geraniaceae. It is native to Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and the Russian Federation. Forming a large clump to 120 cm (47 in) tall, it has glowing reddish purple colored flowers with prominent dark centres, and divided leaves tinted red in Autumn. It is cultivated as a garden subject, and a number of different cultivars exist. G. psilostemon has the UK’s hardiest rating, surviving temperatures as low as −20 °C (−4 °F).

<i>Cyclamen cilicium</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Primulaceae

Cyclamen cilicium is a species of flowering perennial plant in the family Primulaceae. It is native to coniferous woodland at 700–2,000 m (2,300–6,600 ft) elevation in the Taurus Mountains of southern Turkey.

<i>Geranium subcaulescens</i> Species of flowering plant

Geranium subcaulescens is a species of flowering plant in the geranium family Geraniaceae, that is native to Italy, Turkey and the Balkans. A low, mounded evergreen perennial, it typically grows to 8 in (20 cm) tall by more than 11 in (28 cm) broad, with grey-green orbicular and lobed leaves, and masses of bright magenta pink flowers with black centres in summer.

<i>Geranium renardii</i> Species of flowering plant

Geranium renardii is a species of hardy flowering herbaceous perennial plant in the genus Geranium, in the family Geraniaceae. It is native to the Caucasus region between Europe and Asia. Growing to 30 cm (12 in) tall and broad, it has palmate leaves and pale pink flowers striped violet. This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. It grows well in sunny positions or shade both and well drained soils.

References

  1. 1 2 Allaby, Michael (26 August 2015). The Dictionary of Science for Gardeners: 6000 Scientific Terms Explored and Explained. Timber Press. ISBN   978-1-60469-483-3 . Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  2. ↑ Tibballs, Geoff (2017-03-09). 100 Plants That Won't Die in Your Garden. Little, Brown Book Group. ISBN   978-1-4721-3800-2.
  3. ↑ Brickell, Christopher (2011-08-15). American Horticultural Society Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Penguin. ISBN   978-0-7566-7508-0.
  4. ↑ Hessing, M.B. 1989. Variation in self-fertility and floral characters of Geranium caespitosum (Geraniaceae) along an elevational gradient. Plant Systematics and Evolution 166:225-241.
  5. ↑ Van Etten and Chang 2014. Frequency-dependent pollinator discrimination acts against female plants in the gynodioecious Geranium maculatum Annals of Botany 114:1769–1778
  6. ↑ Elzinga, Jelmer A.; Varga, Sandra (2017). "Prolonged stigma and flower lifespan in females of the gynodioecious plant Geranium sylvaticum" (PDF). Flora. 226: 72–81. doi:10.1016/j.flora.2016.11.007. S2CID   85558947.
  7. ↑ Spomer, George G. (1999). "Evidence of Protocarnivorous Capabilities in Geranium viscosissimum and Potentilla arguta and Other Sticky Plants". International Journal of Plant Sciences. 160 (1): 98–101. doi:10.1086/314109. ISSN   1058-5893.
  8. 1 2 3 Taylor, Ronald J. (1994) [1992]. Sagebrush Country: A Wildflower Sanctuary (rev. ed.). Missoula, MT: Mountain Press Pub. Co. p. 62. ISBN   0-87842-280-3. OCLC   25708726.
  9. ↑ "Geranium homeanum". Australian Plants Society. 17 January 2024. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  10. ↑ Stamp, Nancy E.; Lucas, Jeffrey R. (1983). "Ecological Correlates of Explosive Seed Dispersal". Oecologia. 59 (2/3): 272–278. ISSN   0029-8549.
  11. ↑ Lis-Balchin, Maria (2002-10-03). Geranium and Pelargonium: History of Nomenclature, Usage and Cultivation. CRC Press. ISBN   978-0-203-21653-8.
  12. ↑ Armitage, Allan M. (2008-05-01). Herbaceous Perennial Plants: A Treatise on their Identification, Culture, and Garden Attributes. Quarto Publishing Group USA. ISBN   978-1-61058-380-0.
  13. ↑ Parer, Robin (20 April 2016). The Plant Lover's Guide to Hardy Geraniums. Timber Press. ISBN   978-1-60469-418-5.
  14. ↑ "Geranium or Pelargonium? Let's Stop the Confusion". Laidback Gardener. Retrieved 2024-04-05.
  15. ↑ "Geranium Climate: Sun and Temperature". geraniumpage.com.
  16. ↑ Chris (2015-11-28). "Pelargonium incarnatum - Is it a Geranium? No it's a Pelargonium". Phillipskop Mountain Reserve. Retrieved 2024-04-05.
  17. ↑ "Tom Karwin, On Gardening | Visiting the Geranium family". Santa Cruz Sentinel. 2022-11-24. Retrieved 2024-04-05.
  18. ↑ Phillips, Ellen; Colston Burrell, C. (1993), Rodale's illustrated encyclopedia of perennials, Emmaus, Pa.: Rodale Press, pp. 373–76, ISBN   978-0-87596-570-3
  19. ↑ Jelitto, Leo; Schacht, Wilhelm; Epp, Michael E.; Baumgardt (ed. and transl.), John Philip (1990), Hardy herbaceous perennials, vol. 1, Portland, OR: Timber Press, pp. 260–64, ISBN   978-0-88192-159-5
  20. ↑ "Paghat's Garden". Paghat.com. Retrieved 2013-09-17.
  21. ↑ "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 39. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  22. ↑ "RHS Plant Selector Geranium 'Ann Folkard' AGM / RHS Gardening". Apps.rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  23. ↑ "RHS Plant Selector Geranium × oxonianum 'A.T. Johnson' AGM / RHS Gardening". Apps.rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  24. ↑ "Geranium (Cinereum Group) 'Ballerina'". RHS. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  25. ↑ "RHS Plantfinder - Geranium 'Blue Cloud'" . Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  26. ↑ "Geranium Blue Sunrise='Blogold' (PBR)". RHS. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  27. ↑ "Geranium 'Brookside'". RHS. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  28. ↑ "RHS Plantfinder - Geranium 'Danny Boy'" . Retrieved 2 March 2018.
  29. ↑ "RHS Plant Selector Geranium 'Dilys' AGM / RHS Gardening". Apps.rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 2013-09-17.
  30. ↑ "RHS Plantfinder - G. × lindavicum 'Gypsy'" . Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  31. ↑ "Geranium 'Ivan'". RHS. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  32. ↑ "RHS Plant Selector Geranium 'Mavis Simpson' AGM / RHS Gardening". Apps.rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 2013-09-17.
  33. ↑ "Geranium 'Nimbus'". RHS. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  34. ↑ "RHS Plant Selector Geranium 'Orion' AGM / RHS Gardening". Apps.rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 2013-09-17.
  35. ↑ "RHS Plantfinder - Geranium Pattricia = 'Brempat'" . Retrieved 2 March 2018.
  36. ↑ "Geranium Rothbury Gem = 'Gerfos'". RHS. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  37. ↑ "RHS Plant Selector Geranium ROZANNE= 'Gerwat' PBR AGM / RHS Gardening". Apps.rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  38. ↑ "RHS Plantfinder - Geranium × riversleainum 'Russell Prichard'" . Retrieved 2 March 2018.
  39. ↑ "Geranium 'Sirak'". RHS. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  40. ↑ "Geranium × oxonianum 'Wageningen'". RHS. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  41. ↑ "RHS Plant Selector Results / RHS Gardening". Apps.rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 5 April 2020.

Bibliography

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