Fauna
Plant

Rock Crane's-bill

Geranium macrorrhizum

Also known as Bigroot Geranium, Bulgarian Geranium, Zdravetz

Rock crane's-bill spreads vigorously across rocky alpine slopes and woodland margins via thick, creeping rhizomes that give the plant its botanical name. Crushing its deeply lobed foliage releases a potent, musky perfume long prized in European perfumery under the name zdravetz oil. Clusters of vivid magenta to soft pink blossoms rise on reddish stems in late spring, attracting solitary bees while remaining remarkably unpalatable to browsing herbivores.

PerennialAromaticGroundcover
Rock Crane's-bill reference1 / 7
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAutotrophic (photosynthetic)
Predators
  • Slugs and snails
  • Spider mites
  • Vine weevils
ThreatsHabitat destruction, quarrying, and competition from aggressive invasive weeds
HabitatsRocky limestone slopes, subalpine scree, and open montane woodlands
Life spanPerennial (typically 10–20+ years)
Classification
  1. OrderGeraniales
  2. FamilyGeraniaceae
  3. GenusGeranium
  4. SpeciesGeranium macrorrhizum
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Scent Sampling: Gently rub the soft foliage between your fingers to release its distinctive balsamic fragrance without damaging the stem.
  • Foliage Examination: Look beneath the dense foliage mat to observe the thick, woody rhizomes anchoring into rocky crevices.
  • Bloom Timing: Watch for peak flowering in late spring when prominent stamens project outward beyond the petals.
Related species
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