Geranium robertianum

Taxobox
name = Herb Robert

---

image_width = 250px
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Geraniales
familia = Geraniaceae
genus = "Geranium"
species = "G. robertianum"
binomial = "Geranium robertianum"
binomial_authority = L.

"Geranium robertianum", (syn. "Robertiella robertiana") commonly known as Herb Robert, or Red robin, is a common species of cranesbill in Europe, Asia, North America, and North Africa. It can grow at altitudes of up to convert|1500|m|ft|0. It grows as an annual or biennial plant, producing small, pink, five-petalledflowers (about 1 cm in diameter) from April until the autumn. The leaves are fern-like, and the stems often reddish; the leaves too turn red at the end of the flowering season. The plant has little root structure.

In Great Britain, Herb Robert is commonly found in hedgerows. It has been introduced into other temperate parts of the world, probably through its use as a garden plant; for example, it is found in the San Francisco Bay Area in California, while in the state of Washington, where it is known as Stinky Bob, it is regarded as a noxious weed; [harvnb|WSNWCB|2005|p=8] however in North America it is typically found below convert|100|m|ft|0 in altitude.

In traditional herbalism, Herb Robert is used as a remedy for toothache and nosebleeds. An infusion made from the whole plant, minus the root, has been used for its diuretic and tonic effect and as a remedy for dysentery. It is also used on wounds for healing and to prevent scarring, having both an antiseptic and a styptic effect. Freshly picked leaves have an odour resembling burning tires when crushed, and if they are rubbed on the body the smell is said to repel mosquitoes.

The active ingredients are tannins, bitters, and essential oils.

References

ources

* Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board (2005), "Selected Noxious Weeds of Washington State".
*

External links

* [http://www.bioimages.org.uk/HTML/T593.HTM Images at Bioimages (UK)]
* [http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?Geranium+robertianum Species treatment from the Jepson Manual]
* [http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Geranium+robertianum Entry in the Plants for a Future database]
* [http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=GERO USDA plants Profile: "Geranium robertianum"]
*ITIS|ID=29119