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Bloody Crane's-bill

©Philip Precey

Bloody crane's-bill

Bloody crane's-bill has striking magenta flowers that pepper our rare limestone pavements, grasslands and sand dunes with summer colour. It is a favourite of all kinds of insects, including bumblebees.

Scientific name

Geranium sanguineum

When to see

June to August

Species information

Category

Statistics

Height: up to 25cm
Common.

About

The startling magenta flowers of Bloody crane's-bill are a stark contrast to the grey limestone pavements of the Dales and Welsh cliffs it favours. It can also be seen on calcareous grassland and sand dunes. It flowers between June and August, the flowers subtly changing colour as they fade.

How to identify

Bloody crane's-bill is a clump-forming perennial with deeply lobed, dark green leaves. Its large, magenta flowers are cup-shaped and have five petals; they sit on slender stalks.

Distribution

Most common in North England, but also found in Wales. Absent from South East England.

Did you know?

The nectar-rich flowers of Bloody crane's-bill are a favourite of many species of bee, including Buff-tailed and White-tailed bumblebees.