Family Index

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Scientific Name

Geranium brevicaule

Family Name

GERANIACEAE

Common Name

Alpine Cranesbill

Status

Height

5-10cm

Flowers

Solitary red flowers on densely hairy flower stalks.

Fruit

Capsule

Form

Perennial herb with stout rootstock, leaves arranged in a basal rosette.

Municipalities

Break O'Day; Central Coast; Central Highlands; Circular Head; Clarence; Derwent Valley; Dorset; Georgetown; Hobart; Kentish; Kingborough; Launceston; Meander Valley; Northern Midlands; Southern Midlands; Waratah-Wynyard; West Coast

Communities

Habitat Notes

Occasional in mountain grasslands and herbfields.

Site Tolerance

Frost Tolerance

Hardy

Soil Tolerance

General Notes

Grown from seed or cuttings. Hot water at 60 degrees C for 30 minutes may increase germination, or dry heat 80 degrees C for 15-30 minutes. Surface sow, or lightly cover, as light enhances germination. Seed usually germinates readily after treatment. The roots of cranesbill plants are high in tannins; in Victoria, these were traditonally used to treat diarrhoea. Suitable below powerlines.

Propagation Details

Propagation Calendar

Flowering Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Seed Collecting Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Sowing Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Cutting Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Seed Information

Seed Collection

Fruit is a long, slender capsule containing 4-5 dark brown or black seeds. Seed disperses quickly when ripe, so needs to be monitored carefully. Collect well-developed fruits, then allow to dry fully in a warm spot. Seed may need to be lightly dusted with insecticide before storing.

Seed Treatment Method

Hot water

Seed Storage Life

Viable Seeds Per Gram

Seed Treatment Notes

Seed has a hard coat, and germination is slower without treatment.

Germination Time

Suitable for Direct Seeding

Cuttings

Expected Time to Take Root

Expected Time to Plant Out

Propagation by Division N.B. Transplant only from nearby to avoid disease.

Yes

Cutting Notes