Bicknell's cranesbill
Geranium bicknellii
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Pl. 6107 — Geranium bicknellii
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IOverview
Overview
Bicknell's cranesbill (Geranium bicknellii) is a perennial forb or herb native to a wide range of North American regions, including Alberta, British Columbia, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, and many more, extending from the northeastern United States to western Canada and as far south as Florida. This plant thrives in moist environments with light soil types—both sandy and clay—and requires full sun for optimal growth. Bicknell's cranesbill is known for its edible qualities, with both its flowers and leaves being palatable. The leaves are often used fresh in salads or as a garnish, while the flowers can be added to salads or steeped to make a light tea. Both parts are best when picked young and tender for optimal flavor. In traditional use, Bicknell's cranesbill appears in herbal sources around after-meal comfort traditions, often as a tea. However, PlantSage presents this as ethnobotanical context, not as medical advice. The plant can grow up to 0.6 meters tall and is a notable species in botanical studies due to its widespread native range and edible properties.
Quick answers
What is Bicknell's cranesbill?
Bicknell's cranesbill (Geranium bicknellii) is a perennial forb or herb native to a wide range of North American regions, including Alberta, British Columbia, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, and many more, extending from the northeastern United States
What is Bicknell's cranesbill used for?
Traditionally used for digestion. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.
Best for
Top 1 evidence-ranked use of Bicknell's cranesbill
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
IIBenefits & evidence
1 claim · traditional-use context
Benefits & evidence
1 claim · traditional-use contextTraditional-use context
These notes are presented as ethnobotanical context. No cited clinical references are catalogued for this plant yet.
- Traditional-use note: Bicknell's cranesbill appears in herbal sources around after-meal comfort traditions, often as a tea. PlantSage presents this as ethnobotanical context, not as medical advice.
Traditional context only. This reviewed claim keeps the original low confidence level, but avoids treatment, disease, dosage, or guaranteed-effect language.
▲ LimitedDigestion →
IV·bMixology suggestions
1 draft
Mixology suggestions
1 draftEditorial drafts. These pairings are AI-suggested from traditional herbal lore. Always verify with a qualified herbalist before brewing.
Bicknell's cranesbill support blend
generaltea
AI returned a direct ingredient list; normalized into one draft blend for editorial review.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Bicknell's cranesbill thrives in full sun and prefers moist soil that is light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). It can grow up to 0.6 meters tall and is a forb/herb. This plant is hardy in temperate regions and is native to North American states and provinces including Alberta, British Columbia, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, and more. For propagation, it can be grown from seeds or divisions. The edible parts include the flowers and leaves.
Light
Full sun
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Life cycle
Annual, Biennial
Habit
Forb/herb
Mature size
0.6 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow Bicknell's cranesbill for the first time
8steps
Start with Bicknell's cranesbill as a simple, low-maintenance addition to your garden.
- 1
What you'll need
Seeds or young plants, a small trowel, and a watering can.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring after the last frost or in fall before the first freeze.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Choose a spot with light to full sun. Ensure soil is well-draining, either in the ground or a pot with drainage holes.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds outdoors after danger of frost has passed, or start them indoors 4-6 weeks before planting outside. Transplant young plants into prepared soil.
- 5
First two weeks
Water regularly to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Monitor for pests and diseases.
- 6
Ongoing care
Provide consistent moisture, especially during dry spells. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune back after flowering to maintain shape and prevent legginess. Remove any dead leaves or stems as needed.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in heavy soil, neglecting to prune, and not providing enough sunlight.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:FlowersLeaves
Edible uses: The flowers and leaves of Bicknell's cranesbill can be eaten. Typically, the leaves are used fresh in salads or as a garnish. The flowers may be added to salads or steeped to make a light tea. Both parts are best when picked young and tender for optimal flavor.
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
44 native · 3 introduced
Distribution
44 native · 3 introducedDistribution across1 continent· 44 native· 3 introduced
Americas3 regions
introduced (3)ColombiaUnited StatesVenezuela
Broader regions
native:Alberta, British Columbia, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Manitoba, Masachusettes, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Brunswick, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Newfoundland, North Dakota, Northwest Territorie, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ohio, Ontario, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Québec, Rhode I., Saskatchewan, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Yukon
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family, common use cases, and growing requirements.
shared use cases
Different families, similar therapeutic role — good for comparing.
XI
Explore further
Companion planting
Compare with similar plants
Native to
XII
About this entry
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- Citation
- How to cite this entry · Submit a correction
Back to the cataloguePlant id · 61070e23-c176-4a01-a186-2255c8916eaa
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