Geranium macrorrhizum

A common species of ravines, rocky mountain slopes, streams, rocks of subalpine meadows, boulders (saras), forest clearings and in general, in places that retain moisture in the mountainous and subalpine area. The existence of stones determines its presence, and for this reason it can be recorded from relatively low or medium altitudes to the upper altitudinal zone of the mountain.

It is found in limited-area habitats, and therefore its population size is relatively small. Perennial, hairy, multi-branched plant, 10-30 cm tall. It has a strong rhizome, with creeping branches, just below the ground, producing aromatic leaves with long petioles and erect flowering stems, up to 50 cm long. The leaves at the base have long petioles, circular or nephroid, with 5-7 toothed lobes, while the leaves in the upper parts are opposite, with a small petiole. The reddish flowers, in groups of 2-8, are densely arranged in inflorescences that look more or less like umbrellas. With characteristic hairy reddish sepals and long stamens. It flowers from May to August. The fruit consists of 5 monospermous, beak-shaped parts. The name of the genus Geranium is attributed to the resemblance of the fruit to the beak of crane birds. What is interesting about geraniums is the way their seeds are dispersed. In particular, they manage to eject the sperm with a catapult-like mechanism. Once the seeds are ripe, the fruit that surrounds them opens abruptly and the seeds are thrown several meters away. It is used in homeopathy to treat anxiety, nightmares and allergic symptoms, and in folk medicine as an antimicrobial.

No threat to the species has been reported. Its large geographical distribution prevents the serious reduction of its population, since any actions that could harm the species will be rather local and will affect only a few small “spots” in which it occurs.

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It is not subjected to any national or international conservation status.