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Dove's-foot crane's-bill

Geranium molle

Dove's-foot crane's-bill is a lovely little plant with soft, rounded leaves and pretty purple flowers. It often grows in gardens and grassy areas, making the world a bit brighter!

Habitat: Urban areas

Appearance

The Dove's-foot crane's-bill has small, deeply lobed, velvety green leaves often tinged reddish. Its dainty, five-petaled flowers are typically pale pink to purplish, with each petal notched at the tip, making them look heart-shaped.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderGeranialesFamilyGeraniaceaeGenusGeranium
Dove's-foot crane's-bill
furry trait badgeflowering trait badgeornamental trait badgespring_blooming trait badge
Dove's-foot crane's-bill

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

6

Interesting facts

Its name comes from its fruit, which looks like a crane's long beak!

The seeds burst from their pods like tiny catapults, sending them flying!

This tough little plant can grow almost anywhere, even through cracks in pavements!

You can eat its young leaves and flowers, even adding them to salads!

Special abilities

Ability

Seed Launcher

Dove's-foot crane's-bill can launch its tiny seeds far away when its dried fruit splits, helping it spread and find new places to grow.

Ability

Fuzzy Shield

Dove's-foot crane's-bill has soft, hairy stems and leaves that can deter hungry insects or help it retain precious water in dry conditions.

Ability

Flower Power

Dove's-foot crane's-bill can produce flowers over many months, increasing its chances of being pollinated and making lots of seeds.

Measurements & details

Height
10-40 cm
Flower Size
0.5-1.5 cm
Bloom Season
Spring to Fall
Edible
Yes
Toxicity
None
Lifecycle
Annual
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

European honey bee

Apis mellifera

Visits flowers for nectar and pollen.

pollinates

Buff-tailed bumblebee

Bombus terrestris

Helps spread pollen between plants.

eats

Black slug

Arion ater

Feeds on its leaves and stems.

eaten by

House sparrow

Passer domesticus

Eats its small, protein-rich seeds.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always check with an adult before touching or picking plants.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Dove's-foot crane's-bill?

The easiest way to identify Dove's-foot crane's-bill is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How tall is Dove's-foot crane's-bill?

10-40 cm

How big are the flowers on Dove's-foot crane's-bill?

0.5-1.5 cm

When does Dove's-foot crane's-bill bloom?

Spring to Fall

Is Dove's-foot crane's-bill edible?

Yes

Is Dove's-foot crane's-bill toxic?

None

What is Dove's-foot crane's-bill's lifecycle?

Annual

How is Dove's-foot crane's-bill pollinated?

Insect

Snap Map

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