Geranium solanderi
Solander's Geranium
a perennial member of the Geranium genus in the family Geraniaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Geraniaceae
- Genus
- Geranium
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Height
- 0.6 m
- Fertility
- Insects
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Insects
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Root - raw or cooked. Carrot shaped, it is starchy but slightly bitter and not very palatable[1][2]. There is a form with turnip-shaped roots that might be better[1].
- Plant part
- Root
Environment
- Range
- Australia, New Zealand.
- Habitat
- Grassland and open forests in New South Wales[5]. Lowland grassy areas in North and South Islands of New Zealand.
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- 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.
We have almost no information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in this country. The following comments are based on the general needs of the species. Succeeds in any moderately fertile retentive soil in a sunny position[3]. Tolerates a wide range of soil types[3]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[4].
References
Cribb. A. B. and J. W. Wild Food in Australia. Fontana 1976-00-00 ISBN 0-00-634436-4
Crowe. A. Native Edible Plants of New Zealand. Hodder and Stoughton 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-340-508302
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8
Carolin. R. & Tindale. M. Flora of the Sydney Region Reed. Australia. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0730104001