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Field Guide
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Meadow Cranesbill

Geranium pratense

Not yet photographed by the community

Stunning violet-blue flower of roadsides and meadows.

Species Profile

Not threatened; common and widespread in the UK.
Lifespan
Perennial, typically 3–5 years or longer in favourable conditions
Size & Weight
30–80 cm tall; flowers 20–30 mm diameter
Habitat
Meadows, grasslands, and woodland edges on well-drained soils throughout lowland and upland regions.
UK Distribution
Found throughout most of the UK, though more common in northern England, Scotland, and Wales; absent from the far north of Scotland.
Diet
Not applicable; a flowering plant that derives nutrients from soil and sunlight via photosynthesis.
Predators
Herbivores such as rabbits, hares, and sheep may graze on the foliage, and slugs/snails feed on leaves.
Mating Season
Flowers June to August; pollination occurs during this period via insect visitors.
Breeding
Not applicable to plants in the traditional sense; produces seeds in split-seeded fruits (geranium-type capsules) dispersed by wind or animals.
Behaviour
Meadow Cranesbill is a robust perennial that establishes readily from seed and self-seeds prolifically. It attracts diverse pollinators including bees, butterflies, and hoverflies. The plant exhibits marked colour variation, from pale lilac to deep purple blooms.
Did You Know?
  • •The distinctive long, pointed seed pods resemble a crane's bill, hence the common name.
  • •Flowers exhibit a dramatic colour change after pollination, fading from vibrant purple to pale pink or white as a signal to pollinators.
  • •It is an important nectar source for bees and other pollinators in British meadows during summer.
  • •Historically it was used in traditional medicine as an astringent and for treating wounds.
  • •The plant thrives in hay meadows and is a key indicator of traditional, unimproved grassland habitat in the UK.

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