Native Geranium

~ Geranium solanderi ~

Terrat in the Woiwurrung language

GERANIACEAE

Geranium solanderi, commonly named Australian Cranesbill, is the Australian Native Geranium, and also considered one of our Native Carrots. Many reports state the tuber of these delightful little flowers can be either nutritious and tasty or bitter and unpalatable. Whatever the verdict, these trailing herbs make a good edible garden friend and a flowering grass alternative.

WHERE TO LOOK

The Native Geranium enjoys scrambling along the temperate east of Australia and can also be found in a small population in Noongar Country, Western Australia. It’s widespread in moist forests, grassy areas and swampy scrub and hangs around with Heaths, Grass Trees and glossy green-leaved shrubs.

Locations → Queensland: Bunya Mountains National Park, D’Aguilar National Park and Springbrook National Park; NSW: Crescent Head and Lake Macquarie; Victoria: Toorongo Falls near Noojee.

FEATURES

Its tiny pink flowers grow around 12mm wide and peep up through the roaming green ground cover. The leaves are lobed and palmate in form, which also describes the form of a deer’s antler if you can pop that shape into your mind. Its common name, Cranesbill, is because its fruit resembles the beak of a Brolga. Measuring up to 15mm and containing small black seeds, the fruit splits open and disperses the seeds once it’s ripe and brown.

FLOWERING SEASON

Late winter to summer → This perennial predominantly flowers from August to December but can also be seen year-round.

TRADITIONAL USES

The bitter, carroty roots are roasted and eaten. According to Tim Low’s Wild Food Plants of Australia, the newer pale roots may be the most edible. There are reports that the roots can be used as a treatment for diarrhoea.

PLANTING

Native Geranium suits a range of soils and can be grown from seed or cutting. It can be planted in rock gardens and pots or be allowed to scramble free. Keep in mind, it can quickly become a full ground cover in moist soils.