Rock crane’s-bill (Geranium macrorrhizum, Sp. pl. 2:680. 1753)

Family: Geraniaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. pl. 2:680. 1753

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Geranium

Vegetable: False

Observations: C. & SE. Europe to W. Türkiye

Description

Rock crane’s-bill, scientifically known as Geranium macrorrhizum, is a notable member of the Geraniaceae family. This perennial plant is native to a diverse range spanning central and southeastern Europe and extending to western Türkiye. First classified in 1753 by the renowned botanist Linnaeus, it has since garnered attention for its robust characteristics and adaptability.

The Geranium macrorrhizum is distinguished by its aromatic foliage and vibrant flowers, which make it a popular choice for gardens and landscaping. Its leaves are typically palmately lobed, exuding a pleasant fragrance, especially when brushed or crushed. The flowers, which bloom in clusters, range in color from deep pink to purplish hues, attracting various pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

One of the most remarkable features of Rock crane’s-bill is its rhizomatous root system. This extensive underground network allows the plant to thrive in rocky and challenging soils, making it an excellent groundcover. Additionally, its resilience to diverse environmental conditions underscores its natural range and adaptability.

In garden settings, Geranium macrorrhizum is appreciated not only for its visual appeal but also for its low maintenance and ground-covering capabilities. It is often utilized to suppress weeds, protect soil from erosion, and provide a lush, green backdrop for other flowering plants. Its robustness in various climates and soils further cements its status as a versatile and reliable addition to any garden.

Common Names

Eng: bigroot geranium, bulgarian geranium, rock crane’s-bill
Deu: felsen-storchschnabel
Dan: storrodet storkenæb
Swe: flocknäva, tuoksukurjenpolvi
Hun: illatos gólyaorr
Ces: kakost oddenkatý
Nob: rosestorkenebb
Nno: rosestorkenebb
Fin: tuoksukurjenpolvi
Nld: rotsooievaarsbek
Cym: pig-yr-aran wreiddfawr
En: Rock crane’s-bill, Bigroot geranium, Bulgarian geranium, Rock Cranesbill
Az: İrikökümsov ətirşah
Bg: Обикновен здравец
Zh: 巨根老鸛草
Hr: Stjenarska iglica
Cs: Kakost oddenkatý
Da: Storrodet storkenæb
Nl: Rotsooievaarsbek
Fi: Tuoksukurjenpolvi
Fr: Géranium à rhizome, Géranium à gros rhizome, Géranium à grosses racines, Géranium à long rhizome, Géranium à rhizome long
De: Felsen-Storchschnabel, Balkan-Storchschnabel, Großwurzliger Storchschnabel
Hu: Illatos gólyaorr
Is: Ilmblágresi
It: Geranio crestato
Mk: Здравец
Nb: Rosestorkenebb
Nn: Rosestorkenebb
Pl: Bodziszek korzeniasty
Ru: Герань крупнокорневищная
Sr: Здравац
Sk: Pakost podzemkatý
Sv: Flocknäva, Tuoksukurjenpolvi
Uk: Герань великокореневищна
Cy: Pig-yr-aran wreiddfawr

Synonyms

• Robertium macrorrhizum ((L.) Picard)
• Geranium balkanum (N.Taylor)
• Geranium lugubre (Salisb.)
• Geranium macrorrhizum var. parnassicum (Stoj. & Jordanov)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Austria (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• France (native)
• Greece (native)
• Italy (native)
• Romania (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Belgium (introduced)
• Chile Central (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Krym (introduced)
• Poland (introduced)
• Ukraine (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Sep 8, 2017 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 27, 2017 by Ella Doveton (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 27, 2017 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 7, 2017 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 10, 2018 by Jef Horemans (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 3, 2021 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 10, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 26, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 10, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 16, 2018 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Nov 28, 2019 by patrick Boucher (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2022 by Hugues Merlet (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 10, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 20, 2017 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 16, 2018 by Dieter Wagner (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.

Other

Taken May 27, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 7, 2020 by Jenn (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 8, 2021 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 10, 2021 by Decobert Didier (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2022 by Hugues Merlet (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jul 3, 2021 by Martin Sanford (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 8, 2020 by B V (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 4, 2010 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 28, 2019 by Benedikt Liebert (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 10, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Apr 13, 2022 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 6, 2021 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 20, 2019 by Keoma (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 10, 2019 by Keoma (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 12, 2020 by Maria filyra (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2891079)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:373281-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Geranium macrorrhizum L.)

Specifications

Growth