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Geranium robertianum L.

Herb Robert, robert geranium, red robin, herb-Robert

KingdomPlantaePlants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
SubkingdomTracheobiontaVascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
DivisionMagnoliophytaFlowering plants, also known as angiosperms
ClassMagnoliopsidaDicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
SubclassRosidaeRoses, legumes, proteas, dogwoods, hydrangeas, mistletoes, euphorbias, grapes, many more
OrderGeranialesBalsams, mustards, geraniums, wood sorrels, nasturtiums, others
FamilyGeraniaceaeGeranium or cranesbill family
GenusGeraniumFrom the Greek γέρανος, géranos (or γερανός, geranós), “crane,” because some of the fruits resemble a crane’s bill
SpeciesrobertianumDerives from the medieval Latin name herba roberti after Robertus (Saint Robert), a French ecclesiastic who was the founder of the Carthusians and died in 1067. It has also been suggested that the name relates to [St.?] Rupert, Archbishop of Salszburg who died 717 or to Robert, Duke of Normandy

About plant names...

Herb robert is a native Europe, Asia, and north Africa. It may be native to North America as well.

Identification: Forking stems (a) are up to 10″ (25 cm) long. Leaves are triangular in shape and deeply divided, like those of ferns. Grown in bright sunlight, stems and leaves may be bright red, or red-tinged. Small, attractive pink flowers have five rounded petals (c) that ¼-⅜″ (7-10 mm) long; flowers are ⅜-¾″ (1-2 cm) in diameter. Fruits are small capsules (f); seeds (g) are brown, 1/16″ (2 mm) long. Fruit capsules of this plant (e), like many other cranesbills, grow a spring-loaded beak-shaped column that triggers suddenly, spreading the seeds. The crushed leaves produce an odor similar to that of burning tires, which is sometimes used as an insect repellent. For this reason it is sometimes called "Stinky Bob."

Geranium robertianum (herb Robert, robert geranium, red robin, herb-Robert)

From Sturm, Johann Georg (Painter: Jacob Sturm), Deutschlands Flora in Abbildungen nach der Natur mit Beschreibungen, Nrnberg: Gedruckt auf Kosten des Verfassers, 1796.

Medical: Herb robert has been used to treat nosebleeds and toothaches.

Online References:

The Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board (PDF)

in Paghat's Garden

Oregon State University

Plants for a Future, a resource and information centre for edible and otherwise useful plants

Ontario Wildflowers

The Connecticut Botanical Society's Connecticut wildflowers site

CalPhotos

 

Geranium robertianum description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 25 May 2020.

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Geranium robertianum (herb Robert, robert geranium, red robin, herb-Robert)

6/10/2016 · Monhegan Island, Maine

Geranium robertianum (herb Robert, robert geranium, red robin, herb-Robert)

6/10/2016 · Monhegan Island, Maine

Geranium robertianum (herb Robert, robert geranium, red robin, herb-Robert)

6/10/2016 · Monhegan Island, Maine

Geranium robertianum (herb Robert, robert geranium, red robin, herb-Robert)

9/20/2009 · Wild Gardens of Acadia, Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine · ≈ 1½ × 1′ (52 × 34 cm)

Range:

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