Geranium sylvaticum

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Geranium sylvaticum
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Geraniales
Family: Geraniaceae
Genus: Geranium
Species: G. sylvaticum
Binomial name
Geranium sylvaticum
L.

Geranium sylvaticum (wood cranesbill, woodland geranium) is a species of hardy flowering plant in the Geraniaceae family, native to Europe and northern Turkey. Growing to 75 cm (30 in) tall by 60 cm (24 in) wide, it is a mound-forming herbaceous perennial with deeply cut and toothed 7-lobed basal leaves.[1] In summer, flowers are borne on stalks with ruffs of leaves. The flower colour ranges from mauve to sky blue, depending on soil conditions.[2]

The Latin specific epithet sylvaticum means "of woodland", referring to the plant's native habitat, as does its common name "wood cranesbill".

Cultivation

Flower detail

G. sylvaticum is one of many geranium species which are valued in gardens. It is suitable for cultivation in temperate climates in reliably moist, lightly shaded positions, as the name suggests. It is particularly useful for underplanting deciduous trees, roses, lilies, and other summer-flowering subjects. Various cultivars have been selected, of which 'Album'[3] and 'Mayflower'[4] have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

Uses and traditions

It is the county flower of Sheffield in the United Kingdom.[5]

The flowers yield a blue-gray dye that was used in ancient Europe to dye war cloaks, believing it would protect them in battle. For this reason it was called Odin's Grace.[6]

Notes

  1. ↑ RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 1405332964. 
  2. ↑ Marjorie Blamey and Richard Fitter, Collins Handguide to Wild Flowers of Britain and Northern Europe, Wiliam Collins Sons & Co. Ltd., London, 1979.
  3. ↑ "RHS Plant Selector - Geranium sylvaticum 'Album'". Retrieved 19 July 2013. 
  4. ↑ "RHS Plant Selector - Geranium sylvaticum 'Mayflower'". Retrieved 19 July 2013. 
  5. ↑ Plantlife website County Flowers page
  6. ↑ Hilderic Friend, Flower Lore, Para Research, Inc., Rockport, Massachusetts 1981.
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