Herb-robert (Geranium robertianum) is a member of the crane’s-bill
family of plants, a number of whose members are found growing wild in the
United Kingdom and elsewhere. Herb-robert is commonly found under hedges, on
rocks and walls and in woodland, preferring shady places rather than full sunlight.
Herb-robert grows up to 20 inches (50 centimetres) high, its
stems branching from the base but some sprawling across the ground as opposed
to standing upright.
The leaves are fern-like in shape with three to five lobes.
The stems and leaves, which are hairy, turn bright red in autumn or if the
plant is growing in dry conditions. This might be a reason why the plant has
the name it does, in that “robert” is a corrupted form of the Latin word for
red, namely “ruber”.
Herb-robert flowers from May to September, the flowers being
pink and the petals rounded and not notched. Although the fruits are slightly
wrinkled, the seeds are smooth.
It was typical in medieval times for plants to be ascribed
curative powers based on their appearance, the belief being that everything in
Nature had been designed by God to be of direct benefit to humanity, and He
left clues on each plant as to what that purpose was. In the case of
herb-robert, the red colour mentioned above signified the plant’s efficacy in treating
blood disorders or staunching the flow of blood.
However, the leaves also produce a disagreeable smell, and
the plant is therefore sometimes known as “Stinking Bob”.
© John Welford
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