Hedgerow crane’s-bill (Geranium pyrenaicum, Spec. Bot. Geran.: 27 (1759))

Family: Geraniaceae

Author: Burm.f.

Bibliography: Spec. Bot. Geran.: 27 (1759)

Year: 1759

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Geranium

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe to Iran, NW. Africa

Description

Hedgerow crane’s-bill, scientifically known as Geranium pyrenaicum, is a fascinating plant belonging to the Geraniaceae family. This perennial herbaceous plant is known for its resilience and adaptability, making its home in a variety of environments stretching from Europe to Iran, and even in the northwestern regions of Africa.

Described in botanical literature as early as 1759, Geranium pyrenaicum has a longstanding presence in the plant world. The notable botanist Burm.f. is credited with its classification, contributing significantly to our understanding of this species within the context of the broader Geraniaceae family.

Typically found flourishing in hedgerows, this plant is distinguished by its attractive five-petaled flowers, which are often a vibrant shade of pink or purple, adding a splash of color to its surrounding foliage. The flowers and foliage of the hedgerow crane’s-bill are not only visually appealing but also serve a role in supporting local biodiversity, providing nectar for various pollinators including bees and butterflies.

The hedgerow crane’s-bill exemplifies the hardy nature of wild geraniums, thriving in soils that range from well-drained to moderately moist. This plant’s ability to adapt to different climatic conditions, from the temperate zones of Europe to the more arid regions of Iran and Northwestern Africa, underscores its ecological versatility.

In addition to its environmental benefits, the hedgerow crane’s-bill has found some utility in traditional practices. In various cultures, different parts of the plant have been used for medicinal purposes, although such uses are more anecdotal and not widely documented in contemporary herbal medicine.

Overall, the hedgerow crane’s-bill (Geranium pyrenaicum) is a remarkable species that contributes to the ecological richness of the regions it inhabits. Its enduring presence since its classification in the 18th century speaks to its adaptability and resilience in the face of shifting environmental conditions.

Common Names

Nld: bermooievaarsbek
Pol: bodziszek pirenejski
Eng: hedgerow crane’s-bill, hedgerow geranium, pyrenees geranium, pyrenean cranesbill, pyrenees crane’s-bill
Lav: pireneju gandrene
Lit: pirėninis snaputis
Deu: pyrenaeen-storchschnabel, pyrenäen-storchschnabel
Dan: pyrenæisk storkenæb
Nno: askerstorkenebb
Nob: askerstorkenebb
Fra: géranium des pyrénées
Ces: kakost pyrenejský, pakost pyrenejský
Hun: pireneusi gólyaorr
Swe: pyreneittenkurjenpolvi, skuggnäva
Fin: pyreneittenkurjenpolvi
Est: pürenee kuhereha
Cym: pig garan y gwrych, pig yr aran y brifforth, pig yr aran y clawdd, pig yr aran y gwrych, pig-yr-aran y gwrych
En: Hedgerow Crane’s-bill, Hedgerow geranium, Pyrenees geranium, Pyrenean Cranesbill, Pyrenees crane’s-bill, Hedgerow Cranesbill, Mountain Cranesbill
Ca: Suassana pirinenca
Cs: Kakost pyrenejský, Pakost pyrenejský
Da: Pyrenæisk storkenæb
Nl: Bermooievaarsbek, Bergooievaarsbek, Pyrenese Ooievaarsbek
Et: Pürenee kuhereha
Fi: Pyreneittenkurjenpolvi
Fr: Géranium des pyrénées
De: Pyrenaeen-Storchschnabel, Pyrenäen-Storchschnabel, Berg-Storchschnabel
Hu: Pireneusi gólyaorr
It: Geranio dei Pirenei
Lv: Pireneju gandrene
Lt: Pirėninis snaputis
Nb: Askerstorkenebb
Nn: Askerstorkenebb
Pl: Bodziszek pirenejski
Sk: Pakost pyrenejský
Sv: Pyreneittenkurjenpolvi, Skuggnäva
Cy: Pig Garan y Gwrych, Pig yr Aran y Brifforth, Pig yr Aran y Clawdd, Pig yr Aran y Gwrych, Pig-yr-Aran y Gwrych

Synonyms

• Geranium rotumdifolium var. grandiflorum (Wahlenb.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Austria (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Morocco (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Baltic States (introduced)
• Belarus (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Central European Rus (introduced)
• Chile Central (introduced)
• Denmark (introduced)
• Finland (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Netherlands (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• Northwest European R (introduced)
• Norway (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Poland (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• West Siberia (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Dec 19, 2021 by Michel AMBROISE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 21, 2021 by Jean-Marie Frenoux (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 6, 2021 by hebert cecile (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 10, 2021 by Cédric Jankowiak (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 19, 2021 by Gui ferl (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jan 10, 2021 by Leonardo Cagiano (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 10, 2021 by Cédric Jankowiak (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 20, 2011 by parramon marta (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 19, 2021 by Gui ferl (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 7, 2018 by Marcos Rivas Campoamor (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Sep 3, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 25, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 21, 2021 by Jean-Marie Frenoux (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 10, 2021 by Cédric Jankowiak (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 19, 2021 by Gui ferl (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jul 30, 2019 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 7, 2021 by Olivier Brosseau (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 16, 2021 by Miguel A. C. (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 17, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 19, 2021 by Gui ferl (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 16, 2022 by Marie-Claude Deboin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 26, 2019 by FerneB (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 14, 2022 by ana pesty (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 27, 2021 by Fabrice Bourriquet (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 27, 2021 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Aug 8, 2021 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 21, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 29, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 30, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 29, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:322504-2)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2890122)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Geranium pyrenaicum Burm.f.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 6

Soil nutriments: 8