Geranium viscosissimum - Sticky Geranium

Family:	Geraniaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.75
Synonyms:
Range:	Western N. America - British Columbia to N. California, east to Alberta..

Geranium viscosissimum (Sticky Geranium) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.75m . It has a hardness rating of 7.
Sticky Geranium will flower in January to February. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by

Soil Information

Sticky Geranium 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
Sticky Geranium prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Sticky Geranium can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Open woods and meadows[187]. Plentiful in medium-dry to moist or even wet soils of open woods, roadsides, creekbanks and meadows to an altitude of 2,700 metres[212].

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 good soil in sun or partial shade[187]. Plants are hardy to about -25°c[187]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[233]. This species is closely related to G. nervosum[200].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 1/5
Flowers - added to salads or used as a garnish[172, 183]. Leaves - raw or cooked. Not choice[172].

• Flowers -
• Leaves -

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 2/5
The whole plant is astringent, salve and styptic[176]. An infusion of the leaves, plus a sweat bath with the leaves, is used as a treatment for colds[257]. It is used as a gargle in the treatment of sore throats[176]. An infusion of the leaves or the roots is used as a wash for sore eyes[257]. A poultice of the leaves or roots has been applied to cuts, sores etc[257].

• Astringent - Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.
• Salve - Soothes and heals damaged skin.
• Styptic - An astringent that stops bleeding by contracting the blood vessels.

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

no recorded cultivars

References

Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest.
Hitchcock. C. L.
Author: Hitchcock. C. L.
Rating:
Publisher : A standard flora for Western N. America with lots of information on habitat etc. Five large volumes, it is not for the casual reader.
Date of Publication : 1955

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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