Practical
Plants

Geranium maculatum

Spotted Cranesbill

a perennial member of the Geranium genus in the family Geraniaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.6 m
Spread
0.45 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The whole plant, but especially the root, is antiseptic, highly astringent, diuretic, styptic and tonic[13][7][1][2][9][11]. An infusion of the whole plant, or of the roots alone, is used in the treatment of diarrhoea (especially in children and the elderly), dysentery, irritable bowel syndrome, cholera, kidney complaints, bleeding and a wide range of other ailments[15][8][12]. It is often used in combination with other herbs[11]. Externally, it is applied to purulent wounds, haemorrhoids, thrush, vaginal discharges and inflammations of the mouth[11]. The plants are rich in tannin[8], the root containing 10 - 20%[9]. The roots can be harvested in the autumn then dried and stored[8]. It is best to harvest the roots as the plant comes into flower since it is then at its most active medicinally[13]. The leaves are harvested as the plant comes into flower and are dried for later use[11].

Product or use
Antiseptic
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Kidney
Product or use
Miscellany
Product or use
Styptic
Product or use
Tonic

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A brown dye is obtained from the flowers[3]. The roots and the leaves are rich in tannin[13]. Plants are suitable for ground cover when spaced about 45cm apart each way[6].

Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Tannin

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Environment

Range
Eastern N. America - Maine to Georgia, west to Arkansas, Kansas and Manitoba.
Habitat
Wet places in woods, wet rocks and in swamps[4]. Woodlands, thickets and meadows[14].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
high
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in any moderately fertile retentive soil in a sunny position[5]. Tolerates a wide range of soil types[5], including water-logged soils[4]. Plants are hardy to about -25°c[4]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[10].

References

  1. Kavasch. B. Native Harvests. Vintage Books 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-394-72811-4

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  2. Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.

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  3. Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-02-544950-8

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  4. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  5. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2

  6. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

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  7. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

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  8. Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6

    ↩1↩2↩3

  9. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩1↩2

  10. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

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  11. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  12. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

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  13. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  14. Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00

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  15. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

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