GERA'NIAICEIE. See GERANIUM.
GERArNIUM (Lat., from Gk. -y0aptop, gera nion, crane's-bill, from ylpavos, fleranos, crane). A genus of dicotyledonous plants, the type of the order Geraniace, of which the most impor tant genera are Geranium, Pelargonium, and Ero dium. The genus embraces a large number of species, unequally distributed throughout the world. A dozen species are indigenous to Great Britain, of which number the stinking crane's bill, or herb Robert (Geranium Robertianum), is a common weed. It is a low, spreading herb, with deeply divided leaves and small flowers, and has been used medicinally as an astringent. It is also found in parts of the United States. Alumroot (q.v.), a North American species, with flowers of considerable beauty, is the most val uable medicinally of all the species. It is very astringent and abounds in tannin, a character which belongs to some extent to many species of the genus. The common name, 'crane's-bill,' is given to many of the species of Geranium, on account of the long-beaked fruit, which in splitting aids in scattering the seeds. Geranium tuberosum, of Southern Europe, and Geranium dissectum, the wild carrot of Australia, produce edible tubers. The species of Geranium are not extensively cultivated, the plants so widely grown under that name being species of the genus Pelar gonium, of which there are about 125 species, mostly natives of the Cape of Good Hope. These
plants are prized on account of the colors of the flowers and the shape and marking of the leaves. Many hybrids have been produced, and there is hardly a better-known window plant. They are easily propagated by cuttings. requiring a light, rich soil and good drainage. A number of species produce tuberous edible roots, as Pelargonium triste, of the Cape of Good Hope. The leaves of Pelargonium acetosum and Pelargonium pelta turn are acid and edible. Two species of Erodium (Erodium cicutarium and Erodium moschatum, known as Alfilaria) occur abundantly over a large extent of the Pacific Coast region, where they are considered valuable forage plants, since they spring up rapidly after rains and furnish excellent pasturage, and are readily eaten when green by all kinds of stock. When dry they be come very brittle, and are of little value. They seldom attain a height sufficient to admit of being cut for hay. A related species (Erodium cygnorium) is considered one of the most valu able forage plants for the drier portions of Aus tralia.