Small-flowered Crane's-bill

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• small geranium
• small-flowered crane's-bill
• small-flowered geranium
• small-flower crane's-bill

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Geranium pusillum var. humile
• Geranium pusillum var. viscidulifolium
• Geranium baumgartenianum
• Geranium pusillum var. rigidum
• Geranium pseudopusillum
• Geranium pusillum var. tenuilobum
• Geranium pusillum var. albiflorum
• Geranium pusillum var. axilliflorum
• Geranium pusillum var. condensatum
• Geranium pusillum var. elatum
• Geranium pusillum var. gracillimum
• Geranium pusillum var. majus-grandifolium
• Geranium dubium
• Geranium haussknechtii
• Geranium circinatum
• Geranium delicatulum
• Geranium delicatulum
• Geranium parviflorum var. humile

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Geraniales, it is further categorized into the family Geraniaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Geranium, specifically the species Geranium pusillum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical presence across several regions of Northern Europe. Its documented distribution includes the coastal and inland areas of Denmark. Furthermore, it can be found growing within the natural landscapes of Finland. The species is also known to inhabit various parts of Great Britain and Ireland. Finally, its range extends northward to include the territories of Norway.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Geranium pusillum is characterized by its ability to thrive across a broad altitudinal gradient, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to an elevation of 2000 m AMSL. It is commonly found in disturbed and anthropogenic environments, frequently colonizing habitats such as cropfields, oldfields, and parks. This adaptability to open, human-impacted landscapes allows it to establish itself effectively in varied ecological niches within its elevational range.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

cropfields,oldfields,parks

Genetics

The genetics of Geranium pusillum are characterized by notable chromosomal variability, which plays a significant role in its cytogenetic profile. Scientific observations of its genome reveal distinct variations in chromosome number, specifically documented at 26 and 34 chromosomes. This presence of different chromosomal counts suggests a complex genetic makeup that may be influenced by processes such as polyploidy or aneuploidy, which are common within the Geraniaceae family. Such genomic flexibility often contributes to the species' ability to adapt to diverse ecological niches and varying environmental pressures.

Chromosome number :

26, 34

Life history

The life history of Geranium pusillum is characterized by its existence as an annual plant, completing its entire reproductive cycle within a single growing season. As a therophyte, it survives the unfavorable periods of its environment by persisting in the form of seeds, which remain dormant until conditions are favorable for germination. This life form allows the species to rapidly colonize disturbed areas and seasonal habitats. Throughout its active growth phase, the plant maintains an evergreen status, retaining its foliage to maximize photosynthetic efficiency during its brief life cycle.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Geranium pusillum is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and specifically a forb. It is a terrestrial plant that functions as an independent organism, rather than acting as a parasite or an epiphyte. The plant is self-supporting rather than being a climber (such as a liana or vine), exhibiting an ascending shoot orientation. In terms of stature, it is a relatively small plant with a height that typically ranges from a minimum of 0.05 m to a maximum of 0.5 m, maintaining a mean plant height of approximately 0.183 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.5 m

Plant height mean:

0.183 m

Plant height min:

0.05 m

Shoot orientation :

ascending

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Geranium pusillum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, indicating a standard carbon fixation process typical of many temperate herbaceous plants. As a non-carnivorous species, it relies on autotrophic nutrition rather than the capture of prey for nutrient supplementation. The leaf morphology exhibits significant variability, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 0.5 cm to a maximum of 2 cm, while leaf widths fluctuate between 1 cm and 3 cm. These dimensions contribute to a mean leaf size of approximately 18.98667 cm². Furthermore, the plant displays a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 255 cm²/g, reflecting its leaf mass per area and its physiological strategy for optimizing light interception and gas exchange within its environment.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

2 cm

Leaf length min:

0.5 cm

Leaf size mean:

18.98667 cm²

Leaf width mean:

3 cm

Leaf width min:

1 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

255 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Geranium pusillum is characterized by a sexual reproductive cycle that relies on biotic pollination and specific seasonal timing. The flowering period typically begins in May and concludes in June, during which the plant utilizes a biotic pollination syndrome specifically involving bees and other insects. Self-fertilization is present within the species, ensuring reproductive success even under varying pollinator availability. Following successful pollination, the plant produces small fruits with a mean length of 0.2 cm. The resulting seeds are minute, with a maximum length of 1 mm and a seed mass ranging from a minimum of 0.00067 g to a maximum of 0.00073 g, resulting in a mean seed mass of approximately 0.000747 g. Seed dispersal follows an unspecialized syndrome, lacking highly specific mechanisms for wind, water, or animal transport. Notably, asexual reproduction is absent in this species, meaning its propagation is strictly dependent on the sexual production of seeds.

Dispersal syndrome :

unspecialized

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Jun

Fruit length mean:

0.2 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed length max:

1 mm

Seed mass max:

0.00073 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000747 g

Seed mass min:

0.00067 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Geranium pusillum has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Microscopy research and technique

Chemicals

Geranium pusillum has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Cardiac Glycosides, Flavonoids, Phenols, Saponins, Steroids.

Cardiac Glycosides

1. Microscopy research and technique

Flavonoids

1. Microscopy research and technique

Phenols

1. Microscopy research and technique

Saponins

1. Microscopy research and technique

Steroids

1. Microscopy research and technique

Tannins

1. Microscopy research and technique

Terpenoids

1. Microscopy research and technique

Activities

Geranium pusillum has 3 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Cytotoxic.

Antibacterial

1. Microscopy research and technique

Antioxidant

1. Microscopy research and technique

Cytotoxic

1. Microscopy research and technique

Conditions

Geranium pusillum has 4 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus.

Aspergillus flavus

1. Microscopy research and technique

Aspergillus niger

1. Microscopy research and technique

Escherichia coli

1. Microscopy research and technique

Staphylococcus aureus

1. Microscopy research and technique

Preparations

Geranium pusillum has 9 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Chloroform extract, acetone, acetone extract, aqueous solvents, chloroform.

Chloroform extract

1. Microscopy research and technique

Acetone

1. Microscopy research and technique

Acetone extract

1. Microscopy research and technique

Aqueous solvents

1. Microscopy research and technique

Chloroform

1. Microscopy research and technique

Dichloromethane

1. Microscopy research and technique

Ethanol extract

1. Microscopy research and technique

Methanol

1. Microscopy research and technique

N-hexane

1. Microscopy research and technique