Filters:

Dove's-Foot Cranesbill Geranium molle 

 
 
Attracts BeesBees are attracted to this plant
Attracts ButterfliesButterflies are attracted to this plant
Attracts HoverfliesHoverflies are attracted to this plant
Annual Life CycleAnnual life cycle
Funnel-Shaped FlowersFunnel-shaped flowers
Purple FlowersPurple flowers
5 Petals5 petals
Apr-Sep Flowering
period
Divided LeavesDivided leaves
Lobe-Edged LeavesLobe-edged leaves
Round StemRound stem
Fibrous RootsFibrous roots
40cmMaximum height
 
 
  Main image of Dove's-Foot Cranesbill
© 2021 Adrian Briggs
 

Dove's-Foot Cranesbill is a native annual plant of the UK, typically found growing in grassland, cultivated land and waste ground, to a mature height of up to 40cm.

Dove's-Foot Cranesbill is named after the appearance of its lobed leaves and the 'beaked' shape of its fruit capsule. Characteristic features include: a funnel-shaped arrangement of deeply-notched veined petals and deep-blue anthers; deeply-cut palm-shaped leaves divided into broad lobes; and soft hairy stems and leaves.

Botanic classification and naming: Dove's-Foot Cranesbill is a member of the Geranium (Geraniaceae) family. The genus name 'Geranium' identifies the plant as a Cranesbill and its species name 'molle' means 'soft plant'.

Benefits: Food source for caterpillars of the Brown Argus butterfly.

Benefits to wildlife are also indicated with orange icons in the plant profile bar at the top.

 

 
Flower of Dove's-Foot Cranesbill

© 2021 Adrian Briggs

 

Flowers:
Dove's-Foot Cranesbill usually flowers between April and September.

Flower colour:

Flower Colour Purple

Purple

Flower shape:

Flower Shape  Funnel

Funnel

Petals:

Petal Number =  5

5

Leaf of Dove's-Foot Cranesbill

© 2021 Adrian Briggs

 

Leaves:

Leaf Shape:

Leaf Shape is Divided

Divided

Or:

Alternative Leaf Shape is Rounded

Rounded

Leaf Margins:

Leaf Margin is lobed

lobed

Stem of Dove's-Foot Cranesbill

© 2021 Adrian Briggs

 

Stem and Roots:

Stem shape:

Stem Shape is Round

Round

Root type:

Root Type is Fibrous

Fibrous