Pretty, pink and healing, herb-robert flourishes in woodland from spring to late summer. Spot its bright flowers in shady spots in woods and grasslands.
Common names: herb-robert, red robin, death-come-quickly, stinking Bob, squinter-pip
Scientific name: Geranium robertianium
Family: Geraniaceae
Origin: native
Flowering season: May to September
Habitat: broadleaf woodland, grassland, heathland and moorland
Herb-robert is a low-growing biennial with reddish stems.
Leaves: are palmately divided and about 6cm long. They are dark green.
Flowers: are bright pink and star-shaped with five petals.
Not to be confused with: other geranium species that have similar, fern-like leaves include hedgerow cranesbill (Geranium pyrenaicum) and dove’s foot cranesbill (Geranium molle).
Herb-robert is native to Europe. It is common and widespread throughout Britain and Ireland, often growing in the shade of woodland edges, next to walls and in other darker spots. When it grows in rocky, sunny sites the sunshine turns its stems a crimson red.
Credit: David Kjaer / naturepl.com
Herb-robert is a foodplant and nectar-source for many invertebrates including bees, hoverflies and the barred carpet moth.
Herb-robert was traditionally used as an antiseptic, as well as to treat stomach upset and nosebleeds.
Its leaves are edible and used by some to make tea. They have also been used crushed and rubbed on the skin as an insect repellent.
Herb-robert was traditionally carried to bring good luck and for fertility.
Herb-robert is thought to have gained its name from an ancient association with Robin Goodfellow, a house goblin from English folklore also known as Puck. That said, some think it was named after an 11th-century monk who cured many people using the plant.
Herb-robert is common and widespread. It is not currently considered to be under threat.
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