Geranium nepalense

Sweet

Nepalese crane's bill, Nepal Geranium

Geraniaceae Edible: Leaves, Fruit 331 iNaturalist observations

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iNaturalist· cc-by

Summary

A perennial reaching 1 m in height. Hardy to UK zone 7. Blooms July to August. Hermaphroditic flowers pollinated by insects. Thrives in light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with mildly acidic to basic pH. Requires full sun and prefers consistently moist soil.

Description

A herb. It grows about 50 cm high. The branches have long soft hairs. The leaves have long stalks. They are opposite. They have 3-5 lobes. The flowers are pink with purple veins. The fruit is a capsule. It splits open from the base to the tip.

Edible Uses

The leaves are edible, though no further details are given. The fruits can be chewed fresh; the fruit is a small dry capsule.

Traditional Uses

The fruits are chewed fresh. The leaves are eaten with oil and salt.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The whole plant is antibacterial and astringent. It is prescribed for nervous diseases, numbness of the limbs, pains, rheumatism, and renal diseases. The plant juice is particularly valued in treating renal diseases.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. In Nepal plants grow from 1000-4000 m altitude. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Where It Grows

Afghanistan, Asia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pakistan, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tibet, Vietnam,

Cultivation

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.

Propagation

Sow seed in spring in a cold frame. Once seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots and plant out during summer. Divide plants in spring or autumn. Larger clumps can be replanted directly into permanent positions, though smaller clumps are better potted up and grown on in a cold frame until rooting well, then planted out in spring.

Other Uses

A red dye, similar to that obtained from Rubia cordifolia, is extracted from the root. The root contains 25–32% tannins.

Notes

There are about 300-400 Geranium species. They are mostly temperate.

Synonyms

Geranium pallidum Royle ex Edgew. & Hook. f.Geranium patens Royle ex Edgew. & Hook. f.Geranium radicans DC.

Also Known As

Bhanda, Bhand, Chunetro ghans, Roel, Thketh-do-thpah

References (7)

Ambasta, S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 234
Ding, X., 2021, Collection calendar: the diversity and local knowledge of wild edible plants used by Chenthang Sherpa people to treat seasonal food shortages in Tibet, China. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 17:40
Flora of Pakistan. www.eFloras.org
Geraniaceae 1: t. 12. 1820
Manandhar, N.P., 2002, Plants and People of Nepal. Timber Press. Portland, Oregon. p 244

Show all 7 references