Geranium robertianum Herb Robert PFAF Plant Database

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Geranium robertianum - L.

Common Name

Herb Robert

Family

Geraniaceae

Synonyms

Known Hazards

None known

Habitats

Moist shady positions in undergrowth[7], rocks and walls, hedge banks, roadsides and waste places[9].

Range

Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia to N. Africa, east to.Japan and the Himalayas

Edibility Rating

Medicinal Rating

Care

Summary

Physical Characteristics

Geranium robertianum is a ANNUAL/BIENNIAL growing to 0.4 m (1ft 4in) by 0.4 m (1ft 4in).
It is hardy to zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from Jun to October, and the seeds ripen from Jul to October. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insect, self.The plant is self-fertile.

Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Geranium_robertianum_Sturm7.jpg

http://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anv%C3%A4ndare:Christer_Johansson

Habitats
Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Hedgerow; North Wall. In. East Wall. In. West Wall. In.

Edible Uses
None known

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.

Antidiarrhoeal; Antirheumatic; Astringent; Diuretic; Homeopathy; Vulnerary.

Herb Robert is little used in modern herbalism, but is occasionally employed as an astringent to halt bleeding, treat diarrhoea etc in much the same way as G. maculatum[254]. The leaves are antirheumatic, astringent, mildly diuretic and vulnerary[7, 9, 21, 222, 238]. Modern research has shown that the leaves can lower blood sugar levels and so it can be useful in the treatment of diabetes[244]. An infusion of the leaves is used in the treatment of bleeding, stomach ailments, kidney infections, jaundice etc[222]. Externally, a wash or poultice is applied to swollen and painful breasts[222], rheumatic joints[7], bruises, bleeding etc[9]. It is best to use the entire plant, including the roots[9]. The plant can be harvested at any time from late spring to early autumn and is usually used fresh[9, 238]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant[9]. Details of uses are not given in this report[K].

Other Uses
Dye; Repellent. Freshly picked leaves are rubbed on the body to repel mosquitoes[53]. They impart their own peculiar odour. A brown dye is obtained from the whole plant[168].

Cultivation details
Succeeds in any moderately fertile retentive soil in a sunny position[200]. Tolerates a wide range of soil types[200], succeeding in dry soils[238]. Grows well on woodland edges[24]. The whole plant has an unpleasant aroma[244]. The foxy smell is particularly pronounced after rain[245]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[233].

Propagation
Seed - sow spring in situ.

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Expert comment

Author
L.

Botanical References
17200

Links / References

[K] Ken Fern Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[7]Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants.

Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.

[9]Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants.

Covers plants in Europe. a drawing of each plant, quite a bit of interesting information.

[21]Lust. J. The Herb Book.

Lots of information tightly crammed into a fairly small book.

[24]Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden.

Fairly good with lots of ideas about creating wildlife areas in the garden.

[53]De. Bray. L. The Wild Garden.

Interesting reading.

[168]Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants.

A very good and readable book on dyeing.

[200]Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.

Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[222]Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America.

A concise book dealing with almost 500 species. A line drawing of each plant is included plus colour photographs of about 100 species. Very good as a field guide, it only gives brief details about the plants medicinal properties.

[233]Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants

A concise guide to a wide range of perennials. Lots of cultivation guides, very little on plant uses.

[238]Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses.

A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.

[244]Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs

Deals with all types of herbs including medicinal, culinary, scented and dye plants. Excellent photographs with quite good information on each plant.

[245]Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World.

An excellent, comprehensive book on scented plants giving a few other plant uses and brief cultivation details. There are no illustrations.

[254]Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants

An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.

Readers comment

Elizabeth H.
Martina Weatherley	Thu Dec 29 2005

It is fascinating to discover that the foxy smell of Herb Robert has the effect of repelling rabbits. We have, perhaps insanely, tried to combine a small courtyard garden with pet rabbits for the past nine years and I have indeed noticed that the things I've planted in containers where Herb Robert has seeded itself, have been left in relative peace. Every other container and its contents has been comprehensively raided sooner or later by the rabbits - no matter how inaccessible I thought they were - and that included plants which rabbits are supposed not to like such as lavender and thyme which they bit into lots of little pieces just to exercise their teeth I think. I'm now going to study this phenomenon more closely and experiment with deliberately ring fencing precious plants with Herb Robert. It arrived by itself and I always liked it.

Elizabeth H.
Steve Redman	Tue Jul 31 2007

Fine native in Europe, Asia. Horrible noxious weed in the northern parts of the U.S./southern Canada. Some States claim it's native (Maryland & Wisconsin), I doubt they have evidence of this. It's introduced from Eurasia. I can smell it's horrid odor at least six feet away. Like a petro-chemical factory, totally nauseating. It is my most dreaded weed here in western Washington, almost worse than creeping buttercup (R. repens). But a greater threat to woodland ecology than buttercup.

Elizabeth H.
Aisling Blackburn	Sun Apr 26 2009

I have been led to understand that herb robert is a highly medicinal plant when eaten on a daily basis in salads in small portions. I have heard it has anticarcinogenic qualities. Has anyone heard simelar acounts ?

Elizabeth H.
Lucy Icleanu	Mon Oct 12 2009

Hello I am trying very hard to get this tea, Geranium Robertianum, and I cannot find it anywhere. Can someone help me to get it? I need it ASAP Thank you in advance for your help Sincerely Lucy Icleanu 8397 Langdon St, Philadelphia, PA 19090 Ph# 215-722-0960 Cel# 215-349-0310 vungvari@comcast.net

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