The cranesbill (Latin: geranium) or geranium is a very species-rich genus of the cranesbill family. The plants owe their peculiar German name to the "Schnabel", an extension of the style after the fertilization of the flower. Many cranesbills that grow wild and are also cultivated as ornamental plants in gardens are not poisonous.
The cranesbill species Ruprechtskraut is edible
Cranesbill non-toxic to humans and animals
First and foremost, cranesbill contains many essential oils, including geraniol, kaempferol, caffeic acid, rutin, and quercetin. In rare cases, these can cause contact dermatitis, i. H. sensitive people react with a harmless rash. Otherwise, the plants are completely non-toxic for both humans and animals - but with one exception: the wild cranesbill is poisonous to hamsters. However, animals do not particularly like to eat the cranesbill because of its intense smell.
Edible cranesbill
Some wild cranesbill species are even considered edible, such as the Stinking Cranesbill or Ruprechtskraut (Geranium robertianum L.), which can be collected between April and November. In addition, the cranesbill is used in folk medicine against toothache or bruises or as a tonic.
tips
Due to its non-toxic nature, various chambers of agriculture even recommend cranesbills as unproblematic planting for kindergartens and schools.