Geranium potentilloides, belongs to the family Geraniaceae, and is a small prostrate perennial herb that can grow up to 60cm high.[4] The species is commonly referred to as Soft Cranesbill or Cinquefoil geranium.[5][6][7]
Geranium potentilloides grows upwards and sideways to a height between 15-60cm, and can take root from the leaf nodes to form extensive clumps.[4] The leaves of Geranium potentilloides are dark green[8] or greyish-green[4] in colour with a indented glossy surface.[8][9] The underside of the leaves is often purplish.[9] The leaves are round to kidney-shaped and divided into wedge-shapes segments,[4] containing 5-7 lobes to a leaf.[9] These lobes are narrow-obovate and toothed. The stem leaves are 1.5–3.5 cm long and to 5 cm wide and sit opposite on stem. The basal leaves are larger than the stem leaves and are not persistent in summer.[10] The stem of this species has short, bristly reflexed hairs that are pressed towards the stem,[10] which can also be found on the leaves.[4] The roots of Geranium potentilloides consist of a thick multi-branched taproot system.[9] Thee roots have the ability to nodes that come in contact with soil.[8]
The flowers are a white to pale pink. The stalks that grow up to 7cm[9] contain a singular flower, consisting of five green sepals and five white to pale pink petals with translucent veins.[10] The petals are 5-6mm long and the tips may be notched or rounded. Each plant has both male and female organs and is usually pollinated by insects.[6] Geranium potentilloides flower from around October to April in its native habitat.[7][9]
The seed of Geranium potentilloides is brown or black, and has a bristle that helps it to pierce the soil crust for germination.[9] The fruit of the species is Fruit 12–14 mm long.[10]
Geranium potentilloides is native to the south-east of Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia.[12][13] In Tasmania, Australia the species is found on eastern and central mountains up to 1000m.[8] The species has also been introduced to coastal areas of central California, where it is known as Australian cranesbill and flowers from May to August.[4]
The species is commonly found in woodlands, grasslands and moist forested areas[8] and prefers damp, shady sites.[4] Geranium potentilloides requires well drained moist soil[8] and can survive in dryish basalt and clay soils and dolerite in Tasmania. The species can tolerate seasonal drought conditions but is intolerant of prolonged inundation.[9]
Geranium potentilloides has roots which are edible raw or cooked.[6] The starchy roots are known to have been roasted for food by aboriginal Australian people,[5][9] although it is likely that this was only the less bitter younger roots.[6] Some Geranium species contain high levels of tannin and were used as an anti-diarrhoeal by aboriginal people.[9]
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) Geranium potentilloides, belongs to the family Geraniaceae, and is a small prostrate perennial herb that can grow up to 60cm high. The species is commonly referred to as Soft Cranesbill or Cinquefoil geranium.
