Geranium macrorrhizum

Geranium macrorrhizum flowers

Geranium macrorrhizum, commonly known as the bigroot geranium, Balkan geranium, or rock crane's-bill, is a species of flowering plant in the Geraniaceae family, native to the South Eastern Alps, the Dinaric Alps, and the Balkan Peninsula. This perennial plant is widely appreciated for its aromatic foliage and attractive pink to purplish flowers, making it a popular choice for gardens and ground cover in temperate regions.

Description

Geranium macrorrhizum is a herbaceous perennial that grows to a height of 30-40 cm. The plant is notable for its thick, rhizomatous roots, which are said to have a strong, aromatic scent reminiscent of pine. The leaves are deeply lobed, semi-evergreen, and can turn reddish in autumn, providing year-round interest. From late spring to early summer, it produces clusters of five-petaled flowers, which range in color from light pink to magenta. The flowers are followed by distinctive, beak-like seed pods, characteristic of the Geranium genus.

Habitat and Distribution

Originally from the mountainous regions of the Balkans, Geranium macrorrhizum has been widely cultivated and naturalized in other parts of Europe and North America. It prefers well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade and is tolerant of a variety of soil types, including dry and poor soils. Its natural habitat includes rocky slopes, woodlands, and meadows, where it forms dense, ground-covering mats that suppress weeds and prevent soil erosion.

Cultivation and Uses

Geranium macrorrhizum is valued in horticulture for its ease of cultivation, drought resistance, and the aromatic properties of its foliage, which can deter pests. It is used extensively in gardens for ground cover, in borders, underplanting for shrubs and roses, and in rock gardens. This plant is also appreciated for its medicinal properties; traditional uses include the treatment of minor wounds and inflammation, although scientific evidence supporting these uses is limited.

Varieties of Geranium macrorrhizum include 'Ingwersen's Variety', known for its light pink flowers, and 'Bevan's Variety', which has deeper magenta blooms. 'Spessart' is a cultivar with white to pale pink flowers and is particularly valued for its ground-covering ability.

Conservation

While Geranium macrorrhizum is not currently listed as endangered, its natural habitats are subject to the general environmental pressures facing mountainous regions in the Balkans, including deforestation, climate change, and land development. Conservation efforts are important to preserve its wild populations and the biodiversity of its native ecosystems.

Gallery

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See Also

• Geranium
• Perennial plant
• Horticulture
• Medicinal plants

References

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