Shining crane’s-bill (Geranium lucidum, Sp. pl. 2:682. 1753)

Family: Geraniaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. pl. 2:682. 1753

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Geranium

Vegetable: False

Observations: Madeira to N. Africa, Europe to C. Asia and India

Description

The Shining Crane’s-bill, known scientifically as Geranium lucidum, is a distinguished member of the Geraniaceae family. First described in 1753 in Carl Linnaeus’s seminal work “Species Plantarum” (Sp. pl. 2:682), this plant has since captivated botanists and nature enthusiasts with its distinctive characteristics and widespread habitat.

The Shining Crane’s-bill is renowned for its glossy, vivid green leaves, which are typically round and deeply lobed, imparting an almost ornamental quality to the plant. During the blooming season, which usually spans the warmer months, the plant produces delicate, pink to purplish five-petaled flowers. These blossoms, although small, are striking and contribute to the plant’s allure.

Its habitat range is remarkably extensive, spanning from the island of Madeira in the North Atlantic, across North Africa, through Europe, and eastward to Central Asia and India. This vast geographical spread underscores not only the plant’s adaptability but also its resilience in a variety of climatic and soil conditions.

Geranium lucidum thrives in environments ranging from rocky terrains and woodland fringes to grassy slopes and urban gardens. It often prefers shady or semi-shady locations where its luxuriant foliage can retain moisture and its flowers can feast on dappled sunlight.

In addition to its aesthetic appeal, the Shining Crane’s-bill holds interest for its potential medicinal properties, a common trait within the Geraniaceae family. Various cultures have utilized different parts of the plant in traditional remedies, although contemporary scientific validation of these uses is still a developing field.

Today, this species continues to be a favorite among garden enthusiasts and landscape architects, who appreciate its versatility and the touch of brightness it adds to shaded areas. Whether as a native species in a woodland garden or an ornamental addition to a rock garden, Geranium lucidum’s ability to brighten up a space with its luminous foliage and delicate flowers remains unrivaled.

Common Names

Nld: glanzige ooievaarsbek
Deu: glänzender storchschnabel
Eng: shining geranium, shining crane’s-bill
Dan: skinnende storkenæb
Nno: blankstorkenebb
Nob: blankstorkenebb
Swe: glansnäva, kiiltokurjenpolvi
Fra: géranium luisant
Fin: kiiltokurjenpolvi
Nor: skinnende skovflok
Cym: garanbig llachar, pig yr aran disglair, pig yr aran llachar, pig-yr-aran loywddail, troedrudd disglair, troedrudd y muriau
En: Shining crane’s-bill, Shining geranium
Az: Parlaq әtirşah
Bg: Блестящ здравец
Ca: Gerani lluent
Kw: Gelvin garan gluw
Cs: Kakost lesklý
Da: Skinnende storkenæb
Nl: Glanzige ooievaarsbek
Et: Läikiv kurereha
Fi: Kiiltokurjenpolvi
Fr: Géranium luisant
De: Glänzender Storchschnabel
He: גרניון נוצץ
Ga: Crobh geal
It: Geranio lucido
Lt: Blizgantysis snaputis
No: Skinnende skovflok
Nb: Blankstorkenebb
Nn: Blankstorkenebb
Fa: شمعدانی براق
Sk: Pakost lesklý
Sv: Glansnäva, Kiiltokurjenpolvi
Uk: Журавець блискучий
Cy: Pig-yr-aran loywddail, Garanbig Llachar, Pig yr Aran Disglair, Pig yr Aran Llachar, Troedrudd Disglair, Troedrudd y Muriau

Synonyms

• Geranium raii (Lindl.)
• Geranium columbinum (Garsault)
• Geranium lucidum var. purpureum (Alleiz.)
• Robertium lucidum ((L.) Picard)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• India (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Nepal (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Norway (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Saudi Arabia (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• California (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)

Additional Images

© 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.

Leaf

Taken Dec 31, 2020 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 14, 2021 by Rudo Walinga (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 25, 2021 by Otero (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 10, 2021 by Darren Giddins (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 7, 2021 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken May 3, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 26, 2021 by Sarah Slater (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 1, 2021 by S100 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 1, 2021 by S100 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 10, 2021 by Darren Giddins (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jan 24, 2021 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 31, 2020 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 31, 2020 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

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

Fruit

Taken Apr 9, 2022 by 🐞Hélène🐦 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 7, 2020 by Gerrit Busser (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 27, 2017 by Miguel A. C. (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2020 by gabouille (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 16, 2016 by Jose Luis Romero (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 21, 2022 by Geneviève Nuptia (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 24, 2019 by Massimo D’Angelo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 25, 2022 by Marie-Pia Marchant (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 3, 2020 by Eduard (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 24, 2021 by nacho (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 19, 2007 by Tela Botanica − Marc CHOUILLOU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 12, 2014 by Tela Botanica − David MERCIER (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 3, 2020 by Eduard (cc-by-sa)

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

Taken Apr 8, 2021 by Ureña Marta (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:373275-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2890560)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Geranium lucidum L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 5

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Soil nutriments: 6