Geranium pratense - Meadow Crane's Bill

Family:	Geraniaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1.2
Synonyms:
Range:	Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to Spain, the Himalayas and N. Asia.

Geranium pratense (Meadow Crane's Bill) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1.2m . It has a hardness rating of 5.
Meadow Crane's Bill will flower in December to March. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Insects

Soil Information

Meadow 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
Meadow Crane's Bill prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

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

Meadows and roadsides[17].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Suits a meadow

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in any moderately fertile retentive soil in a sunny position[200]. Tolerates a wide range of soil types[200]. There are many named varieties, selected for their ornamental value[200]. Plants can be naturalized in meadows[200]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[233].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 0/5
None known

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 2/5
The plant is used as a vulnerary[240]. The root is used in Tibetan medicine where it is said to have an acrid, sweet flavour plus a cooling potency[241]. Analgesic, anti-inflammatory and febrifuge, it is used in the treatment of fevers from influenza, inflammation of the lungs, pain and swellings of the limbs[241].

• Analgesic - Relieves pain.
• Antiinflammatory - Reduces inflammation of joints, injuries etc.
• Febrifuge - Reduces fevers.
• Vulnerary - Promotes the healing of wounds.

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

None known

Cultivars

'' - There are some named forms for this species, but these have been developed for their ornamental value and not for their other uses. Unless you particularly require the special characteristics of any of these cultivars, we would generally recommend that you grow the natural species for its useful properties. We have, therefore, not listed the cultivars in this database[K].

References

Flora of the British Isles.
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Author: Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Rating:
Publisher : A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
Date of Publication : 1962

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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