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Geranium lucidum - L.

Common Name Shining geranium
Family Geraniaceae
USDA hardiness 6-9
Known Hazards Weed Potential.
Habitats Shady rocks, walls and hedgebanks, on calcareous soils[17].
Range Britain, Europe and N. Africa to the Himalayas.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Geranium lucidum Shining geranium


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:217_Geranium_robertianum,_G._lucidum.jpg
Geranium lucidum Shining geranium
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Franz_Xaver

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Geranium lucidum is a ANNUAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in flower from May to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

 Hedgerow; East Wall. In. South Wall. In. West Wall. In.

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Astringent  Diuretic

The plant is diuretic and astringent[240]. Other potential uses: Some sources mention its use for wound healing and other medicinal purposes.

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

A foodplant for the Annulet moth: The plant serves as a food source for the Annulet moth larvae. Groundcover: It can be used as a ground cover, providing a protective layer over the soil. Attracts wildlife: The plant can attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in any moderately fertile retentive soil in a sunny position[200]. Most members of this genus tolerate a wide range of soil types[200], though this species is said to require a calcareous soil[17]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[233].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring in situ.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Saudi Arabia, Cyprus, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Russian Federation-Ciscaucasia (Ciscaucasia), Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russian Federation (Dagestan), Turkmenistan TROPICAL ASIA: India (Jammu and Kashmir), Nepal, Pakistan EUROPE: Denmark, Finland, United Kingdom, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia, Russian Federation-European part (European part (southeast)), Estonia, Latvia, Ukraine (incl. Krym), Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Croatia, Italy (incl. Sardinia, Sicily), Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain (incl. Baleares), France (incl. Corsica), Portugal AFRICA: Portugal (Madeira Islands), Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it's worth checking.

Geranium lucidum, also known as shiny geranium or shining cranesbill, is considered a weed or invasive in several regions, including parts of the United States, Canada, and Australia. Specifically, it's classified as an invasive species in parts of the US (like California, Washington, and Oregon) and Vancouver Island in Canada. It has also been introduced into Australia and New Zealand.  Invasive in specific regions: Geranium lucidum has become naturalized in areas of the United States, particularly in Washington, Oregon, and California. It's also present on Vancouver Island in Canada. Noxious weed designation: In Washington and Oregon, it's classified as a noxious weed, meaning it's regulated and its control is required. Ecological impacts: The plant can invade and overwhelm native habitats in forests and open grasslands. Introduced species: Geranium lucidum was introduced as a garden plant and has since escaped cultivation, becoming a problem in certain areas. Legislation and management: In Washington, regulations prohibit the transportation, sale, or distribution of the plant or its seeds.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

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12

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

17200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Ginny Alfriend   Tue Mar 30 21:07:55 2004

this is an invasive species in western Oregon

Dale McBride, Eugene Oregon - member of the Arboretum.   Fri Mar 3 2006

This plant DOES grow in the shade. It is overwhelming large swaths of understory at Mt. Pisgah Arboretum in Eugene Oregon. Specifically, it is thriving and spreading like wildfire in the litter under Oregon oaks and Douglas firs. I noticed some small patches of these plants along a couple of the seasonal streams about 10 years ago. During the past three years the population has exploded exponentially. It is everywhere! Are there biological options to explore?

John Bredesen, Eugene Masonic Cemetery   Sun May 21 2006

John Bredesen, Eugene, Oregon, President of Board, Eugene Masonic Cemetery Geranium is growing very well under a canopy of mature Douglas Firs. In an attemp to eradicate a patch last year, we rototilled and then covered that area with bark mulch. This year it's back in full force. We're going to resort to propane burning while we can to see if that will have any long lasting effects.

Molly Widmer   Tue Feb 17 2009

This weed is spreading like wildfire in our endangered oak woodlands in western Oregon. Where it has invaded on top of established camas stands near my house, the camas has actually ceased to come up through the mats in one year! And camas is a TOUGH, LONG-LIVED native, one of the last to disappear from our fields and hedgerows! This invasive needs no obvious disturbance, and the land I'm referring to has never been ploughed or built on. The camas stands here could be tens to hundreds of years old, but this very tough native bulb is no match for the Geranium lucidum. It is a very noticeable effect: in areas once covered by stands of pure Camas that I've lived next to for 15 years, there are now large, flattened circles of pure shining geranium with NO camas coming through at all.

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