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Common Name: Wooly Geranium

General Information

Geranium erianthum is a perennial plant that can grow up to 0.30 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

North-western N. America to E. Asia.

Habitat

Sub-alpine meadows and scrub, also on grassy slopes near the sea[]. Woods and meadows from low elevations to fairly high elevations in the mountains[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.30 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in any moderately fertile retentive soil in a sunny position[]. Tolerates a range of soil types[].
Plants are hardy to about -20°c[].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[].

Edible Uses

Leaves - raw or cooked. Not choice[].
Flowers - raw[].

Medicinal

The whole plant, but especially the roots, is astringent, salve and styptic. It can be used as a gargle for sore throats[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.
Division in spring or autumn. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.