VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Geranium maculatum | Wild Geranium 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
White-tailed deer eat the flowers of wild geranium.  Birds eat the
maturing fruits, and Lepidopteran larvae have been observed feeding on
the flowers and fruits [1].


PALATABILITY : 
NO-ENTRY


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


COVER VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
NO-ENTRY


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
Extracts of wild geranium have been used medicinally by Native Americans
to treat diarrhea and various mouth ailments.  Powdered preparations
were used to treat open sores or wounds.  The rhizome contains tannic
and gallic acids, which contribute to its astringent quality.  Clinical
trials have shown that tannins promote blood clotting, supporting its
use for bleeding sores or wounds [5].

Wild geranium can be cultivated as an ornamental by transplanting
rhizomes or by starting from stratified seed [13,27].


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Wild geranium appears to be dependent on the continued existence of
undisturbed stands of mesic, open forests.  It is not usually found on
disturbed sites [4] and is not noted for rapid colonization [27].  It
appears to be sensitive to acidification of soils, and thus areas that
are experiencing acid rain are likely to become less hospitable to wild
geranium [18].

Wild geranium is easily cultivated.  DeVault [13] transplanted rhizomes
of plants growing under closed forest to a fertile, full sun garden. The
plants, which had been growing poorly, responded with vigorous growth
under garden conditions.

Related categories for Species: Geranium maculatum | Wild Geranium