Seasonal Wild Flowers

Shining Crane's-bill

Geranium lucidum

Geraniaceae

Late April to September

It is found throughout the country, but is absent from some

eastern parts.

See the BSBI distribution map for Shining Crane's-bill

Shining Crane's-bill is found on walls and rocks, in

waste-land and hedge-banks, and beside roads, paths

and railways.

It is both native and a naturalised escape from gardens.

It is an annual herb growing up to 40cm.

It has a sprawling habit when growing on hedgebanks and

an erect habit when on walls and rocks.

The rose-pink flowers are uncleft and small, at 10-14mm.

There are 5 or more stamens.

Styles are in a long beak with 3 to 5 stigmas.

The leaves are shiny, round and divided into lobes. They

range from green to red and are much bigger than the

flowers.

The stems are branched from low on the stem.

Shining Crane's-bill on a hedge-bank

On a moss-covered wall

Close-up of flower with yellow anthers

Styles with stigmas (far right)

Side view - pointed sepals

Ridged calyx, stamens, stiles and capsule

Leaves of 'hedge-bank form'

Leaves of wall-top form