Practical
Plants

Geranium viscosissimum

Sticky Geranium

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

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.75 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

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

Flowers - added to salads or used as a garnish[1][3]. Leaves - raw or cooked. Not choice[1].

Plant part
Flowers
Plant part
Leaves

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 is astringent, salve and styptic[2]. An infusion of the leaves, plus a sweat bath with the leaves, is used as a treatment for colds[8]. It is used as a gargle in the treatment of sore throats[2]. An infusion of the leaves or the roots is used as a wash for sore eyes[8]. A poultice of the leaves or roots has been applied to cuts, sores etc[8].

Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Salve
Product or use
Styptic

Environment

Range
Western N. America - British Columbia to N. California, east to Alberta..
Habitat
Open woods and meadows[4]. Plentiful in medium-dry to moist or even wet soils of open woods, roadsides, creek banks and meadows to an altitude of 2,700 metres[6].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
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 good soil in sun or partial shade[4]. Plants are hardy to about -25°c[4]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[7]. This species is closely related to G. nervosum[5].

References

  1. Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.

    ↩1↩2

  2. Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  3. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩

  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

    ↩

  6. Craighead. J., Craighead. F. and Davis. R. A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers The Riverside Press 1963-00-00 ISBN 63-7093

    ↩

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

    ↩

  8. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

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