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Common Name: Solander's Geranium

General Information

Geranium solanderi is a perennial plant that can grow up to 0.60 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Australia - Victoria, New South Wales. New Zealand.

Habitat

Grassland and open forests in New South Wales[]. Lowland grassy areas in North and South Islands of New Zealand.

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.60 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

We have almost no information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in this country. The following comments are based on the general needs of the species.
Succeeds in any moderately fertile retentive soil in a sunny position[]. Tolerates a wide range of soil types[].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[].

Edible Uses

Root - raw or cooked. Carrot shaped, it is starchy but slightly bitter and not very palatable[, ]. There is a form with turnip-shaped roots that might be better[].

Medicinal

None known

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.