GERANIACE^— GERANIUM FAMILY 



HERB ROBERT. RED ROBIN 



Geranium rohertidnum 



Geranium, a crane, from the long beak of the fruiting 

 capsule. 



Herb Robert is a wild Geranium, naturalized from 

 Europe and found oftenest climbing over rocks or dwelling 

 at ease either in the open or on the borders of rocky- 

 woodlands. Annual or biennial. 



Stem. — Hairy, weak, extensively branching, both green 

 and ruddy in color, heavily scented when bruised. 



Leaves. — Ovate-orbicular in outline, divided into three 

 to five divisions. Divisions lobed and toothed. 



Flowers. — Small, rose-pink, borne in terminal or axil- 

 lary one to two-flowered peduncles, about half an inch 

 across. 



Calyx. — Sepals five, acuminate and awn-pointed, 

 imbricate in bud. 



Corolla. — Petals five, imbricate in bud, broadly ovate, 

 narrow-clawed, rose-pink with darker lines. 



Stamens. — Ten, in two sets; one set maturing earlier 

 than the other. 



Pistil. — Ovary five-celled, five-lobed, beaked with a 

 compound style. 



" Fruit. — Capsule, the five cavities one-seeded and long- 

 tailed by the persistent style divisions. Splits apart 

 elastically and throws the seeds. 



One often sees in midsummer, standing beside or 

 sprawling over rocks, sometimes in shade and often 



lOO 



