Geranium columbinum

Geranium columbinum, common name long-stalked crane's-bill[2] or longstalk cranesbill,[3] is a herbaceous annual plant in the family Geraniaceae.

Geranium columbinum
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Geraniales
Family: Geraniaceae
Genus: Geranium
Species:
G. columbinum
Binomial name
Geranium columbinum
Synonyms
  • Geranium malvaceum Burm.f.,
  • Geranium gracile Schenk,
  • Geranium diffusum Picard
  • Geranium pallidum Salisb.[1]

Description
Close-up of a flower of Geranium columbinum

Geranium columbinum reaches on average 15–30 centimetres (5.9–11.8 in) in height, with a maximum of 60 centimetres (24 in).[4] The stem is more or less erect, hairy and quite branched. The leaves are opposite, approximately pentagonal and palmate and the leaf lobes have two to three deep cuts making it similar in shape to a pigeon's foot (hence the Latin epithet columbinus). The flowers are pink to purple, 15–20 millimetres (0.59–0.79 in) in size,[4] with five obovate-heart-shaped petals as long as the sepals. The petals are 7–9 mm long, with distinctive veining. The flowering period extends from March to September.[4] The flowers are hermaphrodite and pollinated by insects (entomogamy).

Distribution

This plant is present throughout Europe, Western Asia and Northern Africa.[1] It has also been introduced into North America.

Habitat

Geranium columbinum prefers moderately dry, nutrient-rich calcareous soils, in woods, hedgerows and roadsides, at an altitude of 0–1,200 metres (0–3,937 ft) above sea level.[4]

  • Plant of Geranium columbinum
  • Plant of Geranium columbinum
  • Flower of Geranium columbinum
  • Close-up of a flower of Geranium columbinum
  • Leaves of Geranium columbinum

References
  1. "Tela Botanica". Archived from the original on 2012-03-29. Retrieved 2011-09-10.
  2. "BSBI List 2007". Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 2015-01-25. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
  3. "Geranium columbinum". Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database. USDA. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  4. Pignatti S. - Flora d'Italia – Edagricole – 1982. Vol. II, pag. 10
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