Geranium macrorrhizum

Balkan cranesbill (Geranium macrorrhizum )

The Balkan cranesbill, Großwurzelige cranesbill or rock cranesbill (Geranium macrorrhizum ) is a flowering plant in the genus Geranium (Geranium ).

Features

The Balkan cranesbill is a perennial herbaceous plant that reaches the plant height of 20 to 50 cm. As Überdauerungsorgan an approximately 10 cm long, vigorous rhizome is formed. The erect stems is everywhere covered by short glandular and long hair. The leaves are palmately divided with deep kerbsägigen to fiederspaltigen sections. These leaves are stalked very long, measuring 10 cm in diameter and are octagonal in outline five to. They are divided into five to seven little deep split or sawn roughly crenate lobes. Furthermore, the leaves scattered long hair and tight kurzdrüsig. The two leaves just below the inflorescence are opposite and sessile. The stipules are pointed - ovate, membranous and dull brown.

The inflorescence is doldig. The hermaphrodite flowers are fünfzählig. The cup is nearly spherical. The sepals are up to 11 mm long, awned long and reddish. The five bright crimson petals are up to 18 mm long and bebärtet on the ground. The purple stamens are greatly prolonged (up to 22 mm long) and really stand out from the cup. The fruit capsules are up to 6 cm long. Bloom time is from June to August.

Occurrence

This species is common in the southwest and south of the Alps, and the Balkans and the Apennines. They settled at altitudes 200-1700 m stony, calcareous soils and rocks in warm regions.

Use as an ornamental plant

The varieties of the Balkan cranesbill are long lasting and easy for gardens. Varieties bloom from whitish - pink to carmine - red. The palmately divided, large leaves have a very aromatic scent that is particularly intense when you rub the leaves slightly. The Balkan cranesbill is often used to lower planting of street trees, as it is very robust for one and with its dense growth of weeds does not raise. Due to the intense smell dogs avoid this plant. This type is considered as bee pasture plant.

Is used pharmaceutically Zdravec the oil.