Fauna
Flower

Meadow Crane's-bill

Geranium pratense

Also known as Meadow Geranium

Meadow crane's-bill paints traditional hay meadows and roadsides in vibrant shades of violet-blue, offering an abundant nectar source for long-tongued bumblebees. Deeply lobed, palmately divided leaves form lush mounds that turn rich crimson and bronze before winter dormancy. Once the blooms fade, the distinctive beak-like seed capsules curl back violently like miniature springs, flinging ripe seeds meters away.

PerennialWildflowerPollinator Magnet
Meadow Crane's-bill reference1 / 7
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preySunlight, Water, Soil nutrients
Predators
  • Slugs and snails
  • Roe deer
  • Aphids
ThreatsAgricultural intensification, frequent mowing, loss of traditional hay meadows
HabitatsMeadows, roadside verges, grasslands, open scrub, woodland edges
Life spanPerennial (5–15 years)
Classification
  1. OrderGeraniales
  2. FamilyGeraniaceae
  3. GenusGeranium
  4. SpeciesGeranium pratense
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
  • Flowering Window: Seek out blooms from June to August in uncut roadside banks and pastures.
  • Seed Watching: Inspect spent flower heads in late summer to spot the crane-beak seed pods springing open.
  • Pollinator Photography: Focus on blooming clumps on warm mornings when wild bees visit heavily.
Related species
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