Geranium

Meadow cranesbill (Geranium pratense)

The cranesbill (Geranium ) or geranium are around 380-430 species, the most species-rich genus Geranium Family ( Geraniaceae ).

Species and varieties of this genus are cultivated in the garden at least since the 16th century. Today, species and varieties of this genus are mainly to be found in countless gardens and parks.

• 3.1 The plant
• 3.2 The leaves
• 3.3 The flowers
• 3.4 The fruit

• 5.1 The discovery of Geranium species for the garden
• 5.2 Use in the garden
• 5.3 Propagation in the garden
• 5.4 Horticulture division of cranesbill species 5.4.1 The Sanguineum Group
• 5.4.2 Forest geraniums
• 5.4.3 meadow geranium
• 5.4.4 Geranium palmatum the group
• 5.4.5 Dark geraniums

• 8.1 Central European species
• 8.2 cranesbill species ( selection)

Pelargoniums and Geraniums

Until the late 18th century and the popular as bedding and balcony plants geraniums of the genus Geranium were counted. Then, the for these plants still in use today in the vernacular and in general trade term towards geraniums, which, however, is not botanically correct. Because geraniums and pelargoniums are within the Geranium Family two different genera, but these are closely related. So there are a few geranium species, such as geraniums are characterized by soft, felt-like stems and large round leaves and thus see the species of this genus are very similar. One of the differences between the two genera: Geranium has radiärsymmetrische flowers and Pelargonium has zygomorphe flowers.

Dissemination

Geranium - worldwide at home

Cranesbill species occur on every continent and even in the Arctic and Antarctic. They are also in South Africa, Taiwan, Indonesia, New Guinea, Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand, the Hawaiian Islands, the Azores and Madeira represented, with the cooler weather rather prefer geraniums in these regions, usually in mountainous regions grow.

Geranium species require a cool - temperate climate. Since it is seldom in such areas of the world, there is drought, many of the cranesbill types are set to good moist soils. Because of this need moisture prevail in the warmer regions of their range before year geranium species that have their growth time is usually in the winter and rest in the summer as seeds.

Location adjustments in Central Europe indigenous geranium

Most of cranesbill species prefer base-and salt-rich loamy soil nitrogen. They often colonize wasteland areas, root crop fields, gappy bushes and cleared areas.

Within this site spectrum show the native geranium species-specific adaptations. The blood red cranesbill grows in Europe and Asia Minor in the sunny and light forest edge areas and comes cope with dry soils. The meadow cranesbill, whose range extends from Europe to Central Asia and Siberia, on the other hand tend to be found in cool, moist locations and prefers to grow in moist valleys of meadows and ditches. The wood cranesbill, which can be found from Europe to West Asia, where it grows in moist soil mixed forests, on fresh to moist mountain meadows and tall herb communities.

Geranium as neophytes, Archaeophytes and adventitious

Due to its popularity as a garden plant cranesbill species have since been introduced in many countries in which they were not originally native. The Round-leaved cranesbill, which you occasionally find in Central Europe in wine-growing areas, has been probably originally native to the Mediterranean. Today, it is distributed almost worldwide.

In some countries, cranesbill species have such good initial conditions found that they have run wild in a very large extent and are sometimes regarded as Bioinvasoren. So the company headquartered in Central Europe Ruprechtskraut on the west coast of the USA is now classified as unwanted weeds. Even the Pyrenean Cranesbill, which one occasionally finds on roadsides in Central Europe, is to be regarded as so-called neophyte. Unlike in the United States reluctantly watched Ruprechtskraut he ekes in Central Europe more of a niche.

Among the Central European Archaeophytes contrast, belongs to the Cut- cranesbill. This Storchschnabelart that grows on base-and nitrogen- containing salt clay soil, has been originally native to the Mediterranean and one of the hemerochoren plants that have been abducted with the first farmers probably via seed impurities to Central Europe (so-called Speirochorie ).

The expansion end cranesbill is only occasionally from its area of ​​origin, the warm valleys of the Western and Southern Alps such as the Valais and the Valtellina to Central Europe in the form of seeds abducted (so-called Agochorie ). He is then able to temporarily establish at the new location. He is one of the so-called adventitious.

Name and Description

The German name " cranesbill " seems incomprehensible at first glance at the flowering plant. However, the fruit stand explains the name: the elongated, self-willed designed infructescenses remember the beak of the stork. The botanical name " geranium " can also be attributed to the shape of the seed heads. It can be traced back to the Greek word " geranos " ( Crane ).

The plant

They are mostly perennial, rarely one or two perennial herbaceous plants, few species are subshrubs or shrubs. They contain essential oils. Geraniums grow bushy or horst -like. In the wild, the large leaves of the geraniums and their often strong width extension ensure that they receive relatively large amount of nutrients and water in comparison to competing plants at their site. Like all family members of the Geranium Family have geranium articulated related stems that often have glandular hairs. Some species, such as the Balkan cranesbill are almost always green, others like the Basques Cranesbill form during its heyday large, roundish leaves hills that rot during the winter half- year.

The leaves

The alternate or opposite, stalked leaves are designed differently depending on the type. In some species resembles the leaf of occurring at the geraniums round shape, in most species, it is in five parts and strongly notched each leaf lobe. Stark has divided leaves, for example Geranium purpureum. In this way each blade is divided into five lobes, which extends up to the blade pitch axis. In addition, each leaf is lobed at the top. This leaf shape, which is typical of many of the geranium species is known botanically as deeply pinnatifid.

In most species the leaves are uniformly dark green, with only a few species are different shades of green on the leaf color. The darkest leaves has Headquartered in New Zealand and Tasmania kind Geranium sessiliflorum. Some varieties of this species the unusual leaf color was deepened, it is almost dark purple.

Stipules are present.

The flowers

The flowers are individually rare, usually in pairs. The flower usually grows on a long stem. This allows the geraniums in their natural habitats a competes with the most other, equally high growing plants from which they are surrounded, and in this way ensure their pollination. The hermaphrodite, radiärsymmetrische flower is fünfzählig. The five green, free, and often hairy sepals always have a protruding tip. First, include the flower bud. If developed after pollination of the flower, the fruit, increase the sepals and protect the recognition of the resulting large fruit. The five free petals are nailed in some species. The color of the petals are the cranesbill types ranging from white through pink and purple to a bright blue. In many species and cultivars, a significant grain of the petals is visible. There are two circles, each provided with five stamens, they are all fertile; in the other genera of the family part of the stamens reduced to staminodes. The edges of the stamens are hairy. The most five nectaries of the disc alternate with the petals, rarely they are combined to form a ring. Five carpels are fused into a superior ovaries. The style ends in five scars.

Flowers formula:

Every single Blütenkronblatt is rounded unlike the sepal at the vast number of species at the end. The flowers form on the other hand may be different depending on the type. In the flowers of the forest cranesbill is disk flowers, the flower shape of the growing in deciduous and on dumps Ruprecht herb is referred to as a contrast funnel flowers. Accordingly, different insect involved in pollination. The flowers of the forest cranesbill with the easily accessible nectar are visited by hoverflies, bees and butterflies. At the nectar of the Ruprecht herb, however, reach only langrüsselige bees and butterflies.

The fruit

Both the scientific name Geranium and the German name Cranesbill refers to the shape of the long-stemmed fruit, in which you can see the head and the elongated neck of a stork or a crane. The fruit is made up of very long carpels which bear two ovules only at the base. Of these, only one developed, while the upper sterile part grows as a " beak". Botanically it is a fruit gap, as these splits at maturity into their five fruit trays. The seeds are in all species spread by the explosive bursting of the desiccating beak. When wood cranesbill, for example, the five fruit roll fan suddenly from the center column and each other from one and upwards. The seed is thereby catapult-like thrown up to 3 meters.

Geraniums include with this propagation mechanism of the so-called Austrocknungsstreuern ( botanically referred to as ballochore Autochorie ).

When Ruprechtskraut They also can observe the Herpochorie. While the Herpochorie at the Pasque and the closely related genus of heron beaks is a strategy to Nahausbreitung, it here serves the diasporas to provide optimal starting conditions: after the seed of the Ruprecht herb has been widely thrown through the mechanism described above explosively up to six meters, drill the seeds by hygroscopic movements in the earth. This is due to the fact that the seeds expand in humid weather and contract during dry weather again.

Geranium as a medicinal plant

Although Geranium is already mentioned in the ancient scriptures, these are not to cranesbill species. Hildegard of Bingen noted, however, just as Paracelsus, the Ruprechtskraut clearly as a medicinal plant. Mixed with rue and pennyroyal should strengthen the heart and merry making. In many medieval herbal books such as those by Hieronymus Bock and Tabernaemontanus the Herb Robert is also mentioned - as well as occasionally the blood red cranesbill. In folk medicine, these plants in jaundice, bleeding, malignant ulcers and externally for lichens and rash were used. A tea of the herb Ruprecht should help against childlessness.

Even today the Ruprechtskraut still the medicinal plants is attributed. The tannins contained in the plant, with its astringent and anti-inflammatory effects explain some indications, such as the recommendation of the Ruprecht herb tea to rinse and gargle for inflammations in the throat to use. Similarly, Geranium proves to be good remedy for earache by a fresh leaf of the plant you put in your ear and it can work there until the pain disappears.

The agent Geranium odoratissimum used in homeopathy is, however, not made ​​of cranesbill species, but from Pelargonium odoratissimum.

Geranium as a garden plant

The discovery of Geranium species for the garden

The establishment of cranesbill species as a garden ornamental plant followed a pattern that is typical of many plant genera. The first two species were cultivated in the garden with the Herb Robert and the blood red cranesbill, which were regarded as medicinal plants. More predominantly native species without attributed medicinal properties, but they were Large-flowered, can be occupied as ornamental plants as early as the 16th century. The native brown cranesbill has already been demonstrated for the year 1561 in Germany as a garden plant. The Hortus Eystettensis 1613 even calls her first breeding forms for him and for the blood red cranesbill.

With the 18th and 19th century, the species were added, which are located in more remote regions. When the stork beaks, these are mainly the species that were common in the southern mountains. In the 19th century, special forms of garden beds as rock gardens were popular. Blood Red Cranesbill was at this time a very common landscaped ornamental plant.

In the 20th century the range of well-tended garden cranesbill species has been extended to some species from other continents as well as numerous cultivars that were the increasing demand for simple justice to be maintained and at the same ornamental plants.

The popularity of the various species subject even today different modes. The once very popular Brown cranesbill with its dark color is now getting in Central Europe largely out of fashion. In England, however, one finds this kind still wild on the old village cemeteries where you used to love planted them as " Mourning Widow" ( = Grieving widow ) as grave decorations.

Even the Pyrenean Cranesbill is today a kind rarely used in the garden, although towards the end of the 18th century were more cultivated forms in the trade. He was becoming increasingly marginalized in the gardens after großblütigere and thus more attractive cranesbill species were discovered. He is, however, to find out from the gardens and wild as naturalized plant still in hedges and in the green spaces along streets.

The now common to be found in gardens Basques cranesbill, however, is become popular until the 20th century in Germany after especially in England - a set of robust and hybrids were grown - where he was planted in the gardens since 1832.

A longer lasting appreciation than the three above types has been found, however, the Balkan cranesbill. From him geranium was originally produced for the perfume industry; for the production of this essential oil, however, pelargonium species are used today. The Balkan cranesbill is first mentioned in 1576 as a garden plant and has then very spread quickly. Today, it is often planted primarily as a so-called " green city " among street trees because it tolerates shade very well and the intensely fragrant plant of rabbits and dogs is not doggedly keeps.

One of today's most common to be found in the garden geranium representative is the Hybrid Geranium × magnificum. When and where these large-flowered and strong growing variety is created with the purple violet flowers, is no longer traceable. Because of herbaria - documents, but it is known that it has been maintained in 1871 in the Botanical Garden of Geneva. Identified in 1961 by the Swedish botanist Nyls Hylander Geranium Geranium and ibericum platypetalum as parents of these sterile hybrids and gave the variety of their scientific names. It is believed that the species was originally from the Caucasus.

Use in the garden

The species of the genus Geranium have many uses in the garden. Almost all grow well in light shade and are therefore suitable for the woodland edge planting, but many of the species also tolerate full sun. Some species bloom long and hard, many have a pretty autumn color. All have in common that they are very hardy and not susceptible to disease and are rarely attacked by pests. They are therefore considered ideal plant for beginners garden that can be used both in the rock garden, scree beds and in borders or natural gardens. In particular, the varieties derived from the Balkan cranesbill, are also well suited as a ground cover that grow well under trees. You will find there often combined with ferns.

In most species suitable for borders, it makes sense to cut off the flower heads after the end of flowering, since a second flowering is promoted. This is especially true for the widely used today in the gardens Basques Cranesbill who likes to fall apart after flowering. The pruning also prevents the plants are infested with mildew, one of the few plant diseases for which the plants of this genus are prone occasionally. The rear section also has the consequence that the plants by driving again and thus form new leaf tufts, some of which survive the winter. Many of cranesbill species and varieties form a second time flowers after such action.

With which other plants, the cranesbill types can be combined depends on the variety. The flower colors are classified as bluish or "cold" colors, they should be combined with those plants whose flower color is also classified under this category. Many Edelrosen match very well with geranium species. They also harmonize very well with peonies, lady's mantle and phlox.

Propagation in the garden

All types and varieties tolerate it if they are during the growing season that extends from May to August shared. Also rooted cuts grow well when they are planted immediately after the split and watered regularly.

In particular, the breeding little grafted plants reproduce by seeds easily. They can thus be rapidly dominant in the garden; Seedlings must therefore be weggejätet regularly. This is especially true for native species in Central Europe, such as the Meadow cranesbill.

Horticulture division of cranesbill species

Stork -billed species that have a similar appearance, are summarized horticulturally into five groups.

The Sanguineum Group

At one of the most beautiful cranesbill species include the red blood cranesbill, which easily handle even more extreme site conditions such as dry or little nutrient- rich soil. From the wild form about 40 varieties were grown, one of the first white cultivar of G. sanguineum 'Album' was. Other cultivated forms have retained the round flower shape. They have been, for example, as in the variety ' Nigricans ' darker leaves grown or dark veining of flowers bred out more.

To sanguineum group also Ruprechtskraut and also very beautiful Basque cranesbill is counted.

Forest geraniums

This group is one of six European and Asian species, which are characterized by large broad leaves and upright flowers, as well as all those varieties derived from them. The parent species are next to the wood cranesbill G. sylvaticum and G. rivulare, G. pseudosibiricum, G. albiflorum, G. procurrens and bright with its red and dark flower center striking G. psilostemon.

Meadow geranium

The meadow geranium are particularly often used in natural gardens. The main stem of this group are the Meadow Cranesbill, the Himalayan Cranesbill and G. clarkei. Also native to Central Europe swamp Cranesbill is attributed to this group.

Geranium palmatum the group

Geranium, which is attributable to that group are rarely found in Central European gardens since their original forms are sensitive to cold. These include G. palmatum and G. maderense, both of which are located on the island of Madeira.

Geraniums in this group are characterized by a rosette of leaves, the flowers on the rise significantly.

Dark geraniums

Among the regulars of this group include aristatum the Brown cranesbill and G. and G. reflexum. Special appreciation enjoy these dark geraniums in North America. Some cultivars especially the Brown cranesbill are only available there.

Geranium in superstition

Use of cranesbill species in superstitious practices has contributed especially the striking shape of the fruit. Women who vainly wished for children, was advised to wear the Cranesbill root as an amulet around the neck.

System

The large genus Geranium is divided into two subgenera with 18 sections:

• Subgenus Erodioideae Yeo Section Aculeolata Yeo
• Section Brasiliensia
• Section Erodiea
• Section Subacaulia

• Subgenus Geranium section Anemonifolia
• Section Azorelloida Aedo, Muñoz Garm. Pando &
• Section Batrachioidea
• Section Dissecta Yeo
• Section Divaricata
• Section Geranium
• Section Lucida
• Section Neurophyllodes
• Section Paramensia
• Section Robertium
• Section Ruberta
• Section Trilopha Yeo
• Section Tuberosa Yeo
• Section unguiculata

Species

In the genus Geranium, there are about 380-430 species.

Central European species

16 species grow wild in Central Europe, many other species and their varieties are cultivated as rock garden plants or discount perennials.

Important in Central Europe native species are growing on calcareous, poor soil, blood red cranesbill and the detail above described species meadow cranesbill, the spread in shaded places occurring Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum ) and the marsh cranesbill (Geranium palustre ).

Cranesbill species ( selection)

Among the species of cranesbill (Geranium ) include:

• Silver cranesbill (Geranium argenteum L.)
• Bohemian cranesbill (Geranium bohemicum L.)
• Canaries cranesbill (Geranium canariense ( Willd.) Poir. )
• Gray cranesbill (Geranium cinereum Cav. )
• Stone cranesbill (Geranium columbinum L.)
• Schlitzblättriger cranesbill (Geranium dissectum L.)
• Straddling cranesbill (Geranium divaricatum Ehrh. )
• Basques cranesbill (Geranium endressii Gay)
• Himalayan Cranesbill (Geranium himalayense Klotzsch )
• Shining cranesbill (Geranium lucidum L.)
• Balkan cranesbill (Geranium macrorrhizum L.)
• Madeira cranesbill (Geranium maderense Yeo )
• Soft Cranesbill (Geranium molle L.)
• Node cranesbill (Geranium nodosum L.)
• Marsh cranesbill (Geranium palustre L.)
• Brown cranesbill (Geranium phaeum L.)
• Meadow cranesbill (Geranium pratense L.)
• Black-eyed cranesbill (Geranium psilostemon Ledeb. )
• Purple cranesbill (Geranium purpureum Vill. )
• Small cranesbill (Geranium pusillum L.)
• Pyrenean Cranesbill (Geranium pyrenaicum Burm f. )
• Caucasus cranesbill (Geranium renardii Trautv. )
• Ruprechtskraut or Stinking cranesbill (Geranium robertianum L.)
• Round-leaved cranesbill (Geranium rotundifolium L.)
• Bloody Cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum L.)
• Siberian Cranesbill (Geranium sibiricum L.)
• Wood cranesbill (Geranium sylvaticum L.)
• Knolliger cranesbill (Geranium tuberosum L.)
• Different Colored cranesbill (Geranium versicolor L.)

Swell

• Langran Xu & Carlos Aedo: entry in the Flora of China. (English )
• Carlos Aedo: Geranium Taxonomic Information System. (English )
• Description in the Western Australian flora. (English )