Woolly Cranesbill
ExplorePlants
Woolly Cranesbill
geranium erianthum
The Woolly Cranesbill (Geranium erianthum) is an eye-catching perennial wildflower native to the cold, subarctic regions of North America and Northeast Asia. Thriving in open meadows, subalpine slopes, and tundra edges, this resilient plant brings vibrant splashes of color to otherwise harsh landscapes. It is easily recognized by its clusters of violet-blue to pinkish-purple flowers that bloom during the fleeting northern summer. What makes this species particularly fascinating is its suite of cold-weather adaptations. The plant is heavily clad in soft, woolly hairs, which give it both its common name and an effective shield against freezing alpine winds. For hikers, nature enthusiasts, and pollinators alike, finding a patch of Woolly Cranesbill is a delightful highlight of the subarctic wilderness, showcasing the delicate yet robust nature of high-latitude flora.
Habitat: Found in subalpine meadows, grassy tundra slopes, and open birch forests across subarctic regions.
Appearance
This erect herbaceous perennial typically grows between 30 and 80 centimeters tall, featuring deeply lobed, star-shaped green leaves that are divided into sharply toothed segments. The flowers, which measure 2.5 to 4 centimeters across, are arranged in tight clusters and exhibit five broad petals colored in shades of lavender, deep violet-blue, or occasionally white, marked with delicate dark veins guiding pollinators. Crucially, the flower buds, sepals, and upper stems are densely covered in long, soft, white woolly hairs, providing a distinct, fuzzy appearance that sets it apart from other wild geraniums.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderGeranialesFamilyGeraniaceaeGenusGeranium
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
It uses a spring-loaded mechanism to explosively fling its seeds up to several meters away from the parent plant when they are ripe.
The common name 'Cranesbill' refers to the long, beak-like shape of the fruit capsule that remains after the flower petals fall off.
The dense white hairs on the flower stalks act like a tiny greenhouse, trapping air to keep the plant warm during freezing northern nights.
Special abilities
Ability
Thermal Wool Defense
The dense, white hairs covering the stems and sepals trap a layer of warm air, protecting the delicate reproductive organs from sudden frosts.
Ability
Ballistic Seed Launching
When the fruit matures, it dries and builds tension, eventually snapping open like a spring to fling seeds several meters away.
Ability
Solar Tracking Foliage
Its leaves can adjust their orientation slightly to track the sun, maximizing photosynthesis during the short subarctic growing season.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 30-80 cm
- Lifespan
- 3-15 years
Diet & Feeding
As a photoautotrophic plant, it produces its own energy through photosynthesis, utilizing sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide.
Primary Foods
- Sunlight
- Water
- Carbon dioxide
- Soil nutrients
Ecological connections
mutualism
Arctic Bumblebee
Bombus polaris
Pollinates the flowers while gathering nectar during the brief alpine summer.
eaten by
Snowshoe Hare
Lepus americanus
Feeds on the leaves and stems as a source of summer vegetation.
host plant
Geranium Bronze Butterfly
Cacyreus marshalli
Utilizes the plant as a host for laying eggs, where caterpillars feed on the leaves.
Traits
No trait badges are assigned for this object yet.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
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Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Woolly Cranesbill?
The easiest way to identify Woolly Cranesbill is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How long is Woolly Cranesbill?
30-80 cm
How long does Woolly Cranesbill live?
3-15 years
What does Woolly Cranesbill eat?
As a photoautotrophic plant, it produces its own energy through photosynthesis, utilizing sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide.
Where is Woolly Cranesbill usually found?
Found in subalpine meadows, grassy tundra slopes, and open birch forests across subarctic regions.
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Where to spot
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