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Common Name: Carpet Geranium

General Information

Geranium incanum is a perennial plant that can grow up to 0.40 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. Africa - western and southeastern areas.

Habitat

Scrub, dunes and forest clearings[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.40 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in any moderately fertile retentive soil in a sunny position[]. Tolerates a wide range of soil types[].
Plants are not very hardy in Britain[]. They tolerate occasional falls in temperature down to about -10°c, though if killed by cold they usually reappear from seed[].
Plants form a dense carpet of growth[].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[].
The plant often adopts a climbing habit, sprawling through scrub[].

Edible Uses

The leaves are a tea substitute[].

Medicinal

A medicinal tea made from the leaves is used to offer relief from certain complaints such as bladder infections, venereal diseases, and conditions relating to menstruation[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Plants germinate freely and easily[]. 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.