cranesbill
cranesbill Lexical Profile
cranesbill Game Scores & Validity
• noun
Any of various hardy flowering plants of the genus Geranium (family Geraniaceae), native primarily to temperate regions, characterized by deeply lobed leaves, five-petaled blossoms in shades of pink, purple, blue, or white, and long, beak-shaped fruit capsules.
"The gardener planted purple cranesbill along the shaded border to provide reliable summer blooms and groundcover."
Word Nuance & Usage
In horticulture, 'cranesbill' refers specifically to hardy perennial plants of the genus Geranium, distinguishing them from the tender bedding plants commonly called 'geraniums' (which belong to the genus Pelargonium).
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in the 16th century from 'crane's bill' (a calque of the Greek-derived botanical name 'Geranium', from 'geranos' meaning 'crane'), referring to the long, slender, beak-like shape of the plant's seed capsule.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.