247B-2-Geranium-ciliocarpum-fl-Richard-Hartland.jpg

Geranium ciliocarpum

Variable Cranesbill

Prostrate scrambling perennial herb with turnip-shaped to egg-shaped taproot. Dense short & long recurved hairs on stems.

Additional information

  • SynonymGeranium sp. 2, Separated from Geranium solanderi
  • FamilyGeraniaceae
  • StoreyLower storey
  • Sizestems to 80 cm long
  • Plant groupingHerbs & Groundcovers <1m
  • LeavesKidney-shaped to round leaves to 4 cm long, deeply divided into 5-7 lobes, divided again into 3 lobes with blunt to squarish tips.
  • Flower colourPale pink to white with translucent veins
  • Flowering timeAugust to January
  • FlowersSingle or paired flowers to 12 mm wide, on primary stalks 7-36 mm long, anthers lemon to yellow. Sepals oval, downy with scattered long curved hairs. Beaked fruit 14 mm.
  • Bird attractingNo
  • Butterfly attractingNo
  • Frog habitatNo
  • Growing conditionsDry soils in woodland and open forest. Full sun to partial shade.
  • Garden useDelicate herb for dry gardens.
  • Commercially availableUnlikely to be available within the Shire of Yarra Ranges
  • Conservation statusLocally common within its preferred growing conditions
  • Aboriginal Use Food - taproot roasted
  • Related speciesSpecial features - Turnip-shaped taproot, stems hairy, hairs on leaves curved, sparsely below, may be absent above, pale single or paired veined flowers.
Photographer/s: 1, 4, 5 Peter Kinchington ©; 2 Richard Hartland ©; 3 Helen Moss ©

Plant Communities

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