Seasonal Wild Flowers

Herb-Robert

Geranium robertianum

Geraniaceae

April to November and through mild winters.

It is found throughout the country.

See the BSBI distribution map for Herb-Robert

It is found on walls, limestone pavement, the junction

between walls and pavements, brownfield sites, woods,

hedgerows and hedge-banks and shingle shores.

Herb-Robert is a native, annual or biennial herb growing

up to 0.5m.

The flowers are 14 to 18mm with shiny pink and white

petals.

Stamens have orange pollen, although this does not

seem very reliable as the pollen is often yellow.

A single style has 5 linear, pink stigmas.

A white variety is common in Dorset and flowers wel

l through mild winters.

The leaves are fern-like and vary from green to almost

red.

It is rather smelly and gives clothes a distinctive mousy,

earthy smell.

Herb-Robert on a wall

Close-up of flower with yellow pollen

Styles with 5 linear stigmas

10 anthers

Flower showing styles and anthers

Young fruits

Reddish leaves and fruits

White variety - common in Dorset

Flower and leaves with a buttercup, for size comparison