Geranium robertianum

Geranium robertianum

Herb-Robert (Geranium robertianum L., 1753) is an annual herbaceous species belonging to the Geraniaceae family.

Systematics –
From a systematic point of view it belongs to:
Eukaryota Domain,
Kingdom Plantae,
Subarign Tracheobionta,
Spermatophyta superdivision,
Magnoliophyta Division,
Magnoliopsida class,
Subclass Rosidae,
Order Geraniales,
Geraniaceae family,
Genus Geranium,
G. robertianum species.
The terms are synonymous:
– Althaea officinalis L., (1753);
– Geranium briceanum Sweet;
– Geranium eriophorum H. Leveillé (1904);
– Geranium foetidum Moench (1794);
– Geranium graveolens Stokes (1812);
– Geranium inodorum (Pursh Ex Dc.) G. Don;
– Geranium lindleyanum Royle;
– Littoral Geranium (Rouy) A. W. Hill;
– Geranium lebelii Boreau (1840);
– Geranium mediterraneum Jordan (1852);
– Geranium minutiflorum Jordan (1852);
– Geranium modestum Jordan (1849);
– Geranium mosquense Goldb .;
– Geranium neapolitanum A. Terraccino;
– Geranium palmatisectum Dulac (1867);
– Geranium purpureum Vill. in Gilib. (1786);
– Geranium purpureum Vill. subsp. forsteri (Wilmott) H.G. Baker (1956);
– Geranium purpureum Vill. var. eriosepalum (Hausskn.) Graebn. in Asch. and Graebn .;
– Geranium purpureum Vill. var. intricatum Gren. Ap. R. Knuth in Engl .;
– Geranium purpureum Vill. var. leiosepalum Hausskn .;
– Geranium purpureum Vill. var. liosepalum (Hausskn.) Graebn. in Asch. and Graebn .;
– Geranium purpureum Vill. var. littoral (Rouy) Graebn. in Asch. and Graebn .;
– Geranium rubellum Moench;
– Geranium rupertianum Beckhaus (1893);
– Geranium scopulicola Jordan ex Nyman (1878);
– Geranium semiglabrum Jordan ex Boreau (1857);
– Geranium villarsianum Jordan (1849);
– Robertianum nostrum Goldb .;
– Robertiella robertianum (L.) Hanks in Underw. and Britton (Eds.);
– Robertium minutiflorum (Jord.) Fourr .;
– Robertium vulgare Picard.
Within this species there are also numerous varieties and subspecies on which to carry out further checks due to the numerous synonyms.

Etymology –
The term Geranium comes from the Greek γεράνιον gheranion geranium in Dioscorides, derived from γέρανος ghéranos gru: due to the fruits similar to the beak of cranes.
The specific epithet robertianum comes from the medieval Latin name herba roberti, perhaps in memory of Robertus (San Roberto, † 1067) a French clergyman who founded the Carthusian Order, or from Rupert, archbishop of Salzburg († 717) or Riberto, Duke of Normandy (1000-1035) or others.

Geographic Distribution and Habitat –
The Herb-Robert is a plant native to Eurasia and North Africa and is a sub-cosmopolitan species, present in the Eurasian and North American continent.
It is common throughout Eurasia, North Africa, and Atlantic America.
In Italy it is common throughout the territory.
Its habitat is that of the ruins of the walls or in the clearings of the woods; and all half-shaded areas. The preferred substrate is both calcareous and siliceous with neutral pH with soil at average values ​​of nutrition and humidity, where it grows from the plain up to 1,600 m a.s.l.

Description –
Geranium robertianum is an annual or more often biennial herbaceous plant, velvety-glandular, often reddish with bad odor and with a short red tap root, which normally grows up to 40 cm in height.
Its stems are prostrate-ascending, hairy and with reddish hues, branched, swollen at the nodes, measuring 15-50 cm.
The basal leaves in persistent rosette at ground level, hairy on both faces, carried by long petioles, 3-8 cm wide, have a pentagonal outline and are divided up to the median rib (rachis) into 5 rhomboid lobes in turn divided into segments lanceolate, toothed, rounded and mucronate at the apex, the upper leaves similar, opposite, with a shorter petiole. All with reddish, ovate, hairless and ciliate stipules.
The inflorescences are in biflorous racemes on peduncles that surpass the axillary leaf, are 15-22 mm long, with violet, red, pink but also white flowers, have velvety calyx, with 5 mucronate, erect and conniving sepals, corolla formed by 5 erect-patent petals, rarely retusi, whole, oval, rounded at the apex, with three longitudinal white stripes, measure 1-1,5 cm and are twice as long as the calyx. Bracts ovate, glabrous, connate, reddish, erect, hairy peduncles longer than the axillary leaf. 10 violet stamens all with orange anthers, pink filaments, yellow pollen, pink stigmas, 5 pistils welded and prolonged in a long beak.
The fruit is a schizocarp with a long beak measuring about 2.5 cm which when ripe divides into 5 single portions (mericarpi) which contain the reddish seeds.

Cultivation –
The Herb-Robert is a plant that prefers humid and shady areas of undergrowth or rocks and walls, hedge embankments, roadsides and waste areas.
The plant grows in any moderately fertile retentive soil, even in a sunny position and tolerates a wide range of soil types, managing to develop even in dry soils.
Propagation can take place by seed with spring sowing in situ or by division of the tufts.
This species, like all Geranium, has developed a special technique for dissemination: when the schizocarpic fruit (regma) is ripe it separates into five portions (mericarps) each containing a single seed hanging from a tang connected to a central axis. This tail wrapping around itself by hygroscopy, manages to throw the seeds away from the plant, thus favoring the colonization of the territory.

Customs and Traditions –
The Herb-Robert, also known by the names of red robin, death come quickly, storksbill, fox geranium, stinking Bob, squinter-pip, crow’s foot, Roberts geranium, is a plant with an unpleasant aroma. Its smell is particularly pronounced after rain.
This plant is rarely used in modern herbal medicine, but is occasionally used as an astringent to stop bleeding, treat diarrhea, etc.
The leaves are antirheumatic, astringent, slightly diuretic and vulnerable.
Modern research has shown that the leaves can lower blood sugar levels and therefore may be useful in treating diabetes.
In addition to its tonic-astringent, anti-inflammatory, anti-haemorrhagic and antidissenteric properties, it also has a haemostatic and antiseptic action and its fresh leaves are used to heal sores and wounds of the skin and mucous membranes.
In general, being a plant rich in tannins, it is often used in herbal medicine. In addition, the following properties are recognized: diuretic (facilitates the release of urine), antirheumatic, vulnerary (heals wounds), hemostatic (blocks the flow of blood in case of bleeding), astringent (limits the secretion of liquids) and antispasmodic (relieves muscle spasms, and also relaxes the nervous system).
This plant contains tannins, bitter substances and essential oils.
This plant produces repellents for insects and other animals and dyes.
A popular belief advised to keep a few twigs of this Geranium with two Indian chestnuts (fruits of the horse chestnut) in the cupboards, to keep moths away. In fact, the freshly picked leaves are rubbed on the body to repel mosquitoes.
Among other uses, it should be noted that it is a plant that can occasionally be used in gardening; in fact it can easily propagate and cover large areas thus becoming invasive.

Preparation Method –
From Geranium robertianum an infusion can be obtained from the leaves which is used in the treatment of bleeding, stomach upset, kidney infections, jaundice etc.
It is used for external use to carry out washes that are applied to swollen and painful breasts and for rheumatic joints, bruises, bleeding, etc.
Of this plant it is recommended to use it entirely, including the roots and the plant can be harvested at any time from late spring to early autumn and is usually used fresh.
A homeopathic remedy is obtained from the plant.

Guido Bissanti

Sources
– Acta Plantarum – Flora of the Italian Regions.
– Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
– Useful Tropical Plants Database.
– Conti F., Abbate G., Alessandrini A., Blasi C. (ed.), 2005. An annotated checklist of the Italian vascular flora, Palombi Editore.
– Pignatti S., 1982. Flora of Italy, Edagricole, Bologna.
– Treben M., 2000. Health from the Lord’s Pharmacy, Advice and experiences with medicinal herbs, Ennsthaler Editore.

Warning: Pharmaceutical applications and alimurgical uses are indicated for informational purposes only, they do not represent in any way a medical prescription; therefore no responsibility is taken for their use for curative, aesthetic or food purposes.