Herb Robert
Scientific Name: Geranium robertianum
Category: plant
Brief Description
A low-growing annual or biennial herb with deeply divided leaves and small pink flowers, often turning reddish in autumn.
Characteristics
Leaves are deeply lobed and divided, emitting a strong, sometimes unpleasant musky odor when crushed. Stems are often hairy and reddish. Flowers are small with five pink petals.
Habitat
Found in woodlands, hedgerows, rocky places, waste ground, and shaded walls, often thriving in damp and nutrient-rich soils.
When to Find It
Spring to autumn, with flowering typically occurring from April to November.
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Ecological Role
Provides nectar for various pollinators such as bees and flies.
Easily Confused With
Other cranesbill species (Geranium spp.), distinguished by Herb Robert's distinctively pungent scent when crushed and deeply divided foliage.
Observation Tips
Look in shaded woodland edges or damp garden corners; crush a small leaf gently to check for the characteristic musky odor for confirmation.
Interesting Facts
Commonly known as 'stinking Bob' due to the distinct smell its foliage produces when bruised.