Robert Geranium (subsp. robertianum) Geranium robertianum subsp. robertianum subspecies
Robert Geranium (subsp. robertianum) is an annual wildflower native to Canada, the lower 48 states, and Saint-Pierre & Miquelon. A host for pollen-specialist native bees.
More about this plant
Geranium robertianum, commonly known as herb-robert or, in North America, as Robert's geranium, is a species of cranesbill that is widespread throughout the northern hemisphere and introduced to some countries in the southern. It is common in woods, hedges, gardens, and on waste ground, and can also be found on shingle beaches and limestone pavements. It is not rare or threatened and in some places it is considered to be invasive. Wikipedia →
Growing & care
USDA PLANTS · TRY- Hardiness
- ≥ zone 5 derived from its U.S. range
- Lifespan
- Annual
Wildlife & pollinators
How pollinator value is scored →❧ Caterpillar hosts ~24 caterpillar species
Geranium supports ~24 caterpillar species.
Native butterfly & moth caterpillars are the base of the terrestrial food web — most songbirds rear their young almost entirely on them. As a host for native Lepidoptera this is a moderate genus.
Recorded feeding on Geranium in North America, including:
+ 8 more species → ↑ show fewer
✦ Bees specialist-bee host
Specialist native bees depend on it.
Some native bees are pollen specialists (oligolectic) — they raise young only on pollen from particular plant genera. Geranium is a recorded specialist-bee host, so losing it can mean losing the bee that relies on it.
Related plants
More Geranium →
Sources for this entry (12) Open & cited
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