Geranium macrorrhizum L., Sp. PI. ed. 1 (1753) 680; Boiss., Fl. Or. I (1867) 871; Hayek, Prodr. Fl. Penins. Balc. I (1925) 575; Webb et Ferguson, Fl. Eur. II (1968) 195; Exs.;Pl. Bulg. Exsicc. №366, №836 —Обикновен здравец
Fam: Geraniaceae Juss.
Genus: Geranium L.
Species: Geranium macrorhizum L.
English Name:
Description:
Geranium macrorrhizum is a species of hardy flowering herbaceous perennial plant in the genus Geranium, Geraniaceae family. It is native to the South east Alps and the Balkans. Its common names include bigroot geranium, Bulgarian geranium, zdravetz and rock cranesbill.
It has five-lobed (palmate) leaves that are aromatic when crushed, with pale pink flowers in summer. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions, where it is used as a flowering groundcover, with named cultivars selected for flower colors from white through pink to magenta. The following cultivars have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:-
'Album' (white)[3]
'Bevan's variety' (deep pink)[4]
'Ingwersen's variety' (pale pink)[5]
The plant is used for medical purposes in the traditional herbal medicine since it possesses high antimicrobial properties. Essential oil is prepared from it so it is also used in aromatherapy. In Bulgaria an oil is extracted from this plant, called здравец (Zdravets). The name is said to mean 'bringer of health'. In addition to essential oil, it contains flavonoids, sesquiterpenes, phenolic acids, pigments, vitamins, and mineral salts. A major component of essential oil is the sesquiterpene ketone germacrone.
Flowering Time: IV—VII,
References: „Флора на НРБ”, том VII, БАН, София (1979), Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaл
Distribution in Bulgaria:
These plants are growing on damp, shady, grassy, stony and bushy places in foothills and mountains. In front of the Balkan,
Balkan mountain, Sofia region, "Знеполски район", Vitosha region, Western boundary mountains, Struma valey, "Беласица"-,
Slavyanka-, Pirin-, Rila-, "Средна гора"-, Rhodope mountains, from 300 up to 2500 m altitude.
Distribution:
Southern- and Eastern Europe,
Conservation status and threats: protected species in Bulgaria by theBiodiversity Law. Законодателство на Република България: Закон за биологичното разнообразие.
Medical plant http://lex.bg/laws/ldoc/2134916096
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Geranium macrorhizum 1. Geranium macrorhizum 2. Geranium macrorhizum 3. Geranium macrorhizum 4.
Geranium macrorhizum 5. Geranium macrorhizum 6. Geranium macrorhizum 7.
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