Geranium nepalense - Nepalese Crane's Bill

Family:	Geraniaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1
Synonyms:
Range:	E. Asia - China to the Himalayas.

Geranium nepalense (Nepalese Crane's Bill) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1m . It has a hardness rating of 7.
Nepalese Crane's Bill will flower in January to February. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Insects

Soil Information

Nepalese Crane's Bill will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Nepalese Crane's Bill prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Nepalese Crane's Bill should not be planted in shady areas.

Semi-shaded scrubby slopes and in forests, 1500 - 2300m in the Himalayas[145].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Grows on a sunny edge
• Works within dappled Shade

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in any moderately fertile retentive soil in a sunny position[200]. Tolerates a wide range of soil types[200]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[233].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 1/5
Leaves[179]. No further details are given. Fruits - chewed fresh[272]. The fruit is a small dry capsule[K].

• Fruit -
• Leaves -

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 2/5
The whole plant is antibacterial and astringent[145, 174, 218]. It is prescribed in the treatment of nervous diseases, numbness of the limbs, pains, rheumatism, renal diseases etc[218, 240]. The juice of the plant is valued in treating renal diseases[272].

• Antibacterial - Kills bacteria.
• Astringent - Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring or autumn. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

A red dye is obtained from the root, it is similar to Rubia cordifolia[61]. The root contains 25 - 32% tannins[272].

• Dye - Plants that provide dyes.
• Tannin - An astringent substance obtaied from plants, it is used medicinally, as a dye and mordant, stabilizer in pesticide etc.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Forest Flora of Srinagar.
Singh. Dr. G. and Kachroo. Prof. Dr. P.
Author: Singh. Dr. G. and Kachroo. Prof. Dr. P.
Rating:
Publisher : A good flora of the western Himalayas but poorly illustrated. Some information on plant uses.
Date of Publication : 1976

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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