Seasonal Wild Flowers

Pencilled Crane's-bill

Geranium versicolor

Geraniaceae

May to September

It is most common in the Southwest and East Anglia,

scattered elsewhere and absent from parts of the North.

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

It is a neophyte, which has been grown in English since the

1620s and known in the wild since the 1820s.

It has become naturalised in earth banks and hedge banks,

and by roads and railways in warm, shaded habitats.

Pencilled Crane’s-bill is a rhizomatous, perennial herb,

growing up to 60cm.

Flowers are approximately 2cm across, with 5 white or

pale-violet petals.

Petals are slightly cleft with purple veins.

Sepals are slightly hairy.

Leaves are maple-shaped (palmate) with lobes up to

1.5cm.

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Pencilled-Crane's-bill in a hedge bank, Dorset

Flower

Stamens (10)

Stigmas

Pointed, slightly hairy sepals

Fruits - lobed capsules

Palmately-lobed leaf