Editing Geranium

{{Short description|Genus of flowering plants}}
{{About|the botanical genus called ''Geranium''|the summer bedding "geranium"|Pelargonium|other uses}}
{{Distinguish|germanium}}
''' '''{{automatic taxobox
|image = Geranium February 2008-1.jpg
|image_caption = ''[[Geranium dissectum]]''
|taxon = Geranium
|authority = [[Carl Linnaeus|L.]]
|subdivision_ranks = Species
|subdivision = [[List of cranesbill species|See list.]]
}}

'''''Geranium''''' is a [[genus]] of 422 [[species]] of [[Annual plant|annual]], [[Biennial plant|biennial]], and [[Perennial plant|perennial]] [[plant]]s that are commonly known as '''geraniums''' or '''cranesbills'''. They are found throughout the [[temperateness|temperate]] regions of the world and the mountains of the tropics, with the greatest diversity in the eastern part of the [[Mediterranean region]].<ref name="Allaby">{{cite book |last1=Allaby |first1=Michael |title=The Dictionary of Science for Gardeners: 6000 Scientific Terms Explored and Explained |date=26 August 2015 |publisher=Timber Press |isbn=978-1-60469-483-3 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LrrDCQAAQBAJ&dq=Geranium+is+a+genus+of+422+species&pg=PA225 |access-date=5 April 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

The palmately cleft [[Leaf|leaves]] are broadly circular in form. The flowers have five petals and are coloured white, pink, purple, or blue, often with distinctive veining.<ref name="Allaby" /> Geraniums will grow in any soil as long as it is not waterlogged.<ref name="Tibballs">{{Cite book |last=Tibballs |first=Geoff |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nWK7DAAAQBAJ&dq=Geraniums+will+grow+in+any+soil+as+long+as+it+is+not+waterlogged&pg=PT31 |title=100 Plants That Won't Die in Your Garden |date=2017-03-09 |publisher=Little, Brown Book Group |isbn=978-1-4721-3800-2 |language=en}}</ref> [[Plant propagation|Propagation]] is by semiripe cuttings in summer, by seed, or by division in autumn or spring.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Brickell |first=Christopher |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d-BgPoWCQowC&dq=Geraniums+propagation+semiripe+cuttings+in+summer&pg=PA584 |title=American Horticultural Society Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers |date=2011-08-15 |publisher=Penguin |isbn=978-0-7566-7508-0 |language=en}}</ref>

Geraniums are eaten by the [[larva]]e of some [[Lepidoptera]] species including [[brown-tail]], [[ghost moth]], and [[mouse moth]]. At least several species of ''Geranium'' are [[gynodioecy|gynodioecious]].<ref>Hessing, M.B. 1989. ''Variation in self-fertility and floral characters of'' Geranium caespitosum ''(Geraniaceae) along an elevational gradient''. Plant Systematics and Evolution 166:225-241.</ref><ref>Van Etten and Chang 2014. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4649693/ ''Frequency-dependent pollinator discrimination acts against female plants in the gynodioecious'' Geranium maculatum] Annals of Botany 114:1769–1778</ref><ref>{{Cite journal | doi=10.1016/j.flora.2016.11.007| title=Prolonged stigma and flower lifespan in females of the gynodioecious plant Geranium sylvaticum| journal=Flora| volume=226| pages=72–81| year=2017| last1=Elzinga| first1=Jelmer A.| last2=Varga| first2=Sandra| bibcode=2017FMDFE.226...72E| s2cid=85558947| url=https://jyx.jyu.fi/bitstream/123456789/52505/1/elzingavarga1s2.0s0367253016301694main.pdf}}</ref> The species ''[[Geranium viscosissimum]]'' (sticky geranium) is considered to be [[protocarnivorous]].<ref name="Spomer">{{Cite journal |last=Spomer |first=George G. |date=1999 |title=Evidence of Protocarnivorous Capabilities in Geranium viscosissimum and Potentilla arguta and Other Sticky Plants |url=http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/314109 |journal=International Journal of Plant Sciences |language=en |volume=160 |issue=1 |pages=98–101 |doi=10.1086/314109 |issn=1058-5893|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

==Name==
[[Image:Floral diagram Geranium.jpg|thumb|Floral diagram of a ''Geranium'' garden hybrid called ‘Ann Thomson’, showing 5 free sepals, 5 free petals, 10 free fertile stamens, and a superior ovary consisting of 5 merged carpels, with 5 style branches]]

The genus name is derived from [[Ancient Greek]] {{lang|grc|γέρανος}} (''géranos'') '[[Crane (bird)|crane]]'. The English name 'cranesbill' derives from the resemblance of the [[fruit capsule]] of some of the species to a crane's head and bill. The [[Ovary (botany)|ovary]] portion forms the head and the prolonged [[Stigma (botany)|stigma]] creates the appearance of a beak.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Taylor|first=Ronald J.|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/25708726|title=Sagebrush Country: A Wildflower Sanctuary|publisher=Mountain Press Pub. Co|year=1994|isbn=0-87842-280-3|edition=rev.|location=Missoula, MT|pages=62|language=en|oclc=25708726|orig-year=1992}}</ref><ref name="APS">{{cite web |title=Geranium homeanum |url=https://resources.austplants.com.au/plant/geranium-homeanumrainforest-cranes-bill/ |website=Australian Plants Society |access-date=5 April 2024 |language=en-AU |date=17 January 2024}}</ref>

== Description ==
The flowers are typically five-petaled and white to purple. The leaves are palmate divided into narrow, pointed segments.<ref name=":0" />

The fruit capsule consists of five cells joined to a column produced from the centre of the flower. The cells form lobes which eventually separate, each containing one seed.<ref name=":0" /> When the fruit is ripe, the beak-like stigma springs open  and casts the ovoid, streamlined seeds some distance, dispersing the seeds.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Stamp |first1=Nancy E. |last2=Lucas |first2=Jeffrey R. |date=1983 |title=Ecological Correlates of Explosive Seed Dispersal |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/4217097 |journal=Oecologia |volume=59 |issue=2/3 |pages=272–278 |doi=10.1007/BF00378848 |jstor=4217097 |pmid=28310244 |bibcode=1983Oecol..59..272S |issn=0029-8549|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

==Confusion with ''Pelargonium''==
[[File:Geranium sanguineum02.jpg|thumb|upright=.9|The "bill" and seed dispersal mechanism of ''G.''{{Nbsp}}''pratense'']]

Confusingly, "geranium" is also the [[common name]] of members of the genus ''[[Pelargonium]]'', which are also in the [[family (biology)|family]] [[Geraniaceae]] and are widely grown as horticultural [[bedding (horticulture)|bedding]] plants. [[Carl Linnaeus|Linnaeus]] originally included all the species in one genus, ''Geranium'', but they were later separated into two genera by [[Charles L’Héritier]] in 1789.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Lis-Balchin |first=Maria |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-bR8GxQ6BU0C&dq=geranium+genus,+Geranium,+but+they+were+later+separated+into+two+genera+by+Charles+L%E2%80%99H%C3%A9ritier+in+1789+pelargonium&pg=PA52 |title=Geranium and Pelargonium: History of Nomenclature, Usage and Cultivation |date=2002-10-03 |publisher=CRC Press |isbn=978-0-203-21653-8 |language=en}}</ref> Other former members of the genus are now classified in ''[[Erodium]]'', including the plants known as filarees in North America.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Armitage |first=Allan M. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kA6VgfxsstIC&dq=geranium+genus+Erodium,+including+the+plants+known+as+filarees&pg=PA391 |title=Herbaceous Perennial Plants: A Treatise on their Identification, Culture, and Garden Attributes |date=2008-05-01 |publisher=Quarto Publishing Group USA |isbn=978-1-61058-380-0 |language=en}}</ref>

The term "hardy geranium" is often applied to horticultural ''Geranium''s to distinguish them from the ''Pelargonium''s, which are not winter-hardy in [[temperate climate|temperate]] horticulture.<ref name="Parer">{{cite book |last1=Parer |first1=Robin |title=The Plant Lover's Guide to Hardy Geraniums |date=20 April 2016 |publisher=Timber Press |isbn=978-1-60469-418-5 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=e0uLCwAAQBAJ&q=not+all+%27%27Geranium%27%27+species+are+winter-hardy |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Geranium or Pelargonium? Let's Stop the Confusion |url=https://laidbackgardener.blog/geranium-or-pelargonium-lets-stop-the-confusion/ |access-date=2024-04-05 |website=Laidback Gardener |language=en-US}}</ref> However, not all ''Geranium'' species are winter-hardy (see below).<ref>{{cite web |title=Geranium Climate: Sun and Temperature |url=https://geraniumpage.com/sun-and-temperature |website=geraniumpage.com}}</ref>

The shape of the flowers offers one way of distinguishing between the two genera ''Geranium'' and ''Pelargonium''. ''Geranium'' flowers have five very similar petals, and are thus radially symmetrical ([[actinomorphic]]), whereas ''Pelargonium'' (and also ''Erodium'') flowers have two upper petals which are different from the three lower petals, so the flowers have a single plane of symmetry ([[zygomorphic]]).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chris |date=2015-11-28 |title=Pelargonium incarnatum - Is it a Geranium? No it's a Pelargonium |url=https://www.phillipskop.co.za/flora/pelargonium-incarnatum |access-date=2024-04-05 |website=Phillipskop Mountain Reserve |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-24 |title=Tom Karwin, On Gardening {{!}} Visiting the Geranium family |url=https://www.santacruzsentinel.com/2022/11/24/tom-karwin-on-gardening-visiting-the-geranium-family/ |access-date=2024-04-05 |website=Santa Cruz Sentinel |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Cultivation==
A number of geranium species are cultivated for horticultural use and for pharmaceutical products. Some of the more commonly grown species include:
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
*''[[Geranium albanum]]'' (crested cranesbill)
*''[[Geranium cinereum]]''
*''[[Geranium clarkei]]'' (Clarke's geranium)
*''[[Geranium dalmaticum]]''
*''[[Geranium endressii]]'' (Endres's cranesbill)
*''[[Geranium erianthum]]'' (wooly geranium)
*''[[Geranium fremontii]]'' (Fremont's geranium)
*''[[Geranium himalayense]]'', often sold under ''Geranium grandiflorum''
*''[[Geranium ibericum]]'' (Caucasus geranium),
*''[[Geranium macrorrhizum]]'' (bigroot cranesbill or bigroot geranium)      
*''[[Geranium maculatum]]'' (wild geranium)
*''[[Geranium maderense]]'' (giant herb robert)
*''[[Geranium × magnificum]]'' (showy geranium)
*''[[Geranium phaeum]]'' (dusky cranesbill)
*''[[Geranium platypetalum]]'' (broad-petaled geranium)
*''[[Geranium pratense]]'' (meadow cranesbill)
*''[[Geranium psilostemon]]'' (Armenian cranesbill)
*''[[Geranium renardii]]'' (Renard geranium)
*''[[Geranium sanguineum]]'' (bloody cranesbill)
*''[[Geranium subcaulescens]]'' (grey cranesbill)
*''[[Geranium sylvaticum]]'' (wood cranesbill)
{{div col end}}

All the above species are perennials and generally winter-hardy plants, grown for their attractive flowers and foliage.  They are long-lived and most have a mounding habit, with palmately lobed foliage. Some species have spreading rhizomes. They are normally grown in part shade to full sun, in well-draining but moisture retentive soils, rich in [[humus]].<ref name=Phillips1993>{{Citation |last1=Phillips |first1=Ellen |last2=Colston Burrell |first2=C. |year=1993 |title=Rodale's illustrated encyclopedia of perennials |pages=373–76 |isbn=978-0-87596-570-3 |publisher=Rodale Press |location=Emmaus, Pa.}}</ref> Other perennial species grown for their flowers and foliage include: ''[[Geranium argenteum]]'', ''[[Geranium eriostemon|G.&nbsp;eriostemon]]'', ''[[Geranium farreri|G.&nbsp;farreri]]'', ''[[Geranium nodosum|G.&nbsp;nodosum]]'', ''[[Geranium procurrens|G.&nbsp;procurrens]]'', ''[[Geranium pylzowianum|G.&nbsp;pylzowianum]]'', ''[[Geranium renardii|G.&nbsp;renardii]]'', ''[[Geranium traversii|G.&nbsp;traversii]]'', ''[[Geranium tuberosum|G.&nbsp;tuberosum]]'', ''[[Geranium versicolor|G.&nbsp;versicolor]]'', ''[[Geranium wallichianum|G.&nbsp;wallichianum]]'', and ''[[Geranium wlassovianum|G.&nbsp;wlassovianum]]''. Some of these are not winter-hardy in cold areas and are grown in specialized gardens like rock gardens.<ref name=Jelitto1990>{{Citation |last1=Jelitto |first1=Leo |last2=Schacht |first2=Wilhelm |last3=Epp |first3=Michael E. |last4=Baumgardt (ed. and transl.) |first4=John Philip |year=1990 |title=Hardy herbaceous perennials |volume=1 |pages=260–64 |isbn=978-0-88192-159-5 |publisher=Timber Press |location=Portland, OR}}</ref> ''Geranium'' 'Johnson's Blue' is a hybrid between ''G. himalayense'' (southwestern China), with ''G.&nbsp;pratense'' (European meadow cranesbill).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.paghat.com/cranesbilljohnsons.html |title=Paghat's Garden |publisher=Paghat.com |access-date=2013-09-17}}</ref>

===Cultivars===
[[File:Geranium (probably 'Johnson's Blue').jpg|thumb|Close up of a geranium flower (possibly 'Johnson's Blue') ]]
The following hybrid [[cultivars]] have gained the [[Royal Horticultural Society]]'s [[Award of Garden Merit]] (other cultivars are dealt with under their species name - see above):-<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/pdfs/agm-lists/agm-ornamentals.pdf |title=AGM Plants - Ornamental |date=July 2017 |page=39 |publisher=Royal Horticultural Society | access-date = 27 February 2018}}</ref> 
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*'Ann Folkard'<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/23531/Geranium-Ann-Folkard/Details |title=RHS Plant Selector Geranium 'Ann Folkard' AGM / RHS Gardening |publisher=Apps.rhs.org.uk |access-date=5 April 2020}}</ref>
*'A. T. Johnson' (''G.'' × ''oxonianum'')<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/58284/Geranium-x-oxonianum-A-T-Johnson/Details |title=RHS Plant Selector Geranium × oxonianum 'A.T. Johnson' AGM / RHS Gardening |publisher=Apps.rhs.org.uk |access-date=5 April 2020}}</ref>
*'Ballerina' <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/194563/Geranium-(Cinereum-Group)-Ballerina/Details |title=''Geranium'' (Cinereum Group) 'Ballerina' |publisher=RHS | access-date = 11 July 2020}}</ref> 
*'Blue Cloud'<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/49149/i-Geranium-i-Blue-Cloud/Details |title=RHS Plantfinder - ''Geranium'' 'Blue Cloud' | access-date = 1 March 2018}}</ref> 
*Blue Sunrise='Blogold' <small>([[Plant breeders' rights|PBR]])</small> <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/241922/Geranium-Blue-Sunrise-Blogold-(PBR)/Details |title=''Geranium'' Blue Sunrise='Blogold' (PBR) |publisher=RHS | access-date = 11 July 2020}}</ref> 
*'Brookside' <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/80929/Geranium-Brookside/Details |title=''Geranium'' 'Brookside' |publisher=RHS | access-date = 11 July 2020}}</ref> 
*'Danny Boy'<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/234183/i-Geranium-i-Danny-Boy/Details |title=RHS Plantfinder - ''Geranium'' 'Danny Boy' | access-date = 2 March 2018}}</ref> 
*'Dilys'<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/79820/Geranium-Dilys/Details |title=RHS Plant Selector Geranium 'Dilys' AGM / RHS Gardening |publisher=Apps.rhs.org.uk |access-date=2013-09-17}}</ref>
*'Gypsy' (''G.'' × ''lindavicum'')<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/195407/Geranium-x-lindavicum-Gypsy/Details |title=RHS Plantfinder - ''G.'' × ''lindavicum'' 'Gypsy' | access-date = 1 March 2018}}</ref> 
<!-- AGM withdrawn *'Johnson's Blue'<ref>{{cite web |url=http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=861 |title=RHS Plant Selector Geranium 'Johnson's Blue' / RHS Gardening |publisher=Apps.rhs.org.uk |access-date=2013-09-17}}</ref>-->
*'Ivan' <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/77627/Geranium-Ivan/Details |title=''Geranium'' 'Ivan' |publisher=RHS | access-date = 11 July 2020}}</ref> 
*'Mavis Simpson'<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/33527/Geranium-Mavis-Simpson/Details |title=RHS Plant Selector Geranium 'Mavis Simpson' AGM / RHS Gardening |publisher=Apps.rhs.org.uk |access-date=2013-09-17}}</ref>
*'Nimbus' <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/97417/Geranium-Nimbus/Details |title=''Geranium'' 'Nimbus' |publisher=RHS | access-date = 11 July 2020}}</ref> 
*'Orion'<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/137507/Geranium-Orion/Details |title=RHS Plant Selector Geranium 'Orion' AGM / RHS Gardening |publisher=Apps.rhs.org.uk |access-date=2013-09-17}}</ref>
*Patricia='Brempat'<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/247299/i-Geranium-i-Font-Face-times-New-Roman-Patricia-FONT-Brempat/Details |title=RHS Plantfinder - ''Geranium'' Pattricia = 'Brempat' | access-date = 2 March 2018}}</ref> 
*Rothbury Gem='Gerfos'<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/262700/Geranium-(Cinereum-Group)-Rothbury-Gem-Gerfos-(PBR)/Details |title=''Geranium'' Rothbury Gem = 'Gerfos' |publisher=RHS | access-date = 14 July 2020}}</ref> 
*Rozanne='Gerwat'<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/153768/Geranium-Rozanne-Gerwat-(PBR)/Details |title=RHS Plant Selector Geranium ROZANNE= 'Gerwat' PBR AGM / RHS Gardening |publisher=Apps.rhs.org.uk |access-date=5 April 2020}}</ref>
*'Russell Prichard'<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/91085/i-Geranium-i-×-i-riversleaianum-i-Russell-Prichard/Details |title=RHS Plantfinder - ''Geranium'' × ''riversleainum'' 'Russell Prichard' | access-date = 2 March 2018}}</ref> 
*'Sirak'<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/108524/Geranium-Sirak/Details |title=''Geranium'' 'Sirak' |publisher=RHS | access-date = 14 July 2020}}</ref> 
*'Wageningen'<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/55128/Geranium-x-oxonianum-Wageningen/Details |title=''Geranium'' × ''oxonianum'' 'Wageningen' |publisher=RHS | access-date = 11 July 2020}}</ref> 
*'Wargrave Pink' (''G.'' × ''oxonianum'')<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/91252/Geranium-x-oxonianum-Wargrave-Pink/Details |title=RHS Plant Selector Results / RHS Gardening |publisher=Apps.rhs.org.uk |access-date=5 April 2020}}</ref>
{{div col end}}

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Geranium maculatum - wild cranesbill - desc-flower straight on.jpg
File:Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum).jpg|''[[Geranium maculatum]]''
File:Illustration Geranium phaeum0.jpg|''[[Geranium phaeum]]'' - from Thomé ''Flora von Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz'' 1885
File:Geranium platypetalum1.jpg|''[[Geranium platypetalum]]''
File:Geranium sanguineum0.jpg|''[[Geranium sanguineum]]''
File:Geranium pratense (Meadow Cranesbill).jpg|''[[Geranium pratense]]'' (meadow cranesbill)
File:Geranium-robertianum(Samen).jpg|''[[Geranium robertianum]]'' (herb robert)
File:GeraniumMaderense.jpg|''[[Geranium maderense]]''
File:Wildgeranium.jpg|''[[Geranium maculatum]]''
File:Starr 980718-1820 Geranium arboreum.jpg|''[[Geranium arboreum]]''
File:Płatek bodziszka.jpg|Geranium petal under the microscope[[File:Geranios Rosas y Rojos.jpg|thumb|160x160px|Geranium ]]
File:Geranium (probably 'Johnson's Blue').jpg|''Geranium (possibly 'Johnson's Blue')''
File:גרניון גזור.jpg|''[[Geranium dissectum]]''
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[List of Geranium species|List of ''Geranium'' species]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite journal|last1=Aedo|first1=Carlos|last2=Garmendia|first2=Felix Munoz|title=Some Notes on the Sectional Nomenclature of Geranium (Geraniaceae)|journal=[[Taxon (journal)|Taxon]]|date=February 1996|volume=45|issue=1|pages=104|doi=10.2307/1222593|jstor=1222593}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060409080903/http://www.rjb.csic.es/Geranium/publication/geranium_n_america_perennials.pdf Genus ''Geranium'' in North America: the Perennials]
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=29104 ITIS list of Geranium species]
* [http://www.geranium.es/ Geranium Taxonomic Information System]
* [https://www.gardenbuildingsdirect.co.uk/blog/how-to-prepare-your-plants-to-survive-winter/ Preparing Geraniums for Winter]

{{Taxonbar|from=Q157211}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Geranium| ]]
[[Category:Geraniales genera]]
[[Category:Garden plants]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus]]