What is Herb Robert?

By Chelsie Vandaveer

August 9, 2002

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John Gerard (The Herbal, 1633 ed.) wrote: "Herbe Robert bringeth forth slender weake and brittle stalks, somewhat hairie, and of a reddish colour, as are oftentimes the leaves also, which are iagged and deepely cut...of a most loathsome stinking smell. The floures are of a most bright purple colour; which being past, there follow certaine small heads, with sharpe beaks or bils like those of birds...."

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Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum Linnaeus) was long used as a healing plant, "...good for wounds and ulcers...to staunch bloud...to heal up bloudy wounds." It was known to herbalists by its botanical name long before Linnaeus made it 'official'; Geranium derives from the Greek geranos meaning crane, a reference to the seed head. Robertianum was possibly confused with the Latin ruber meaning red, the color of the stems. Somehow, the plant's name became tied to Saint Rupert (Robert).

Rupert lived during the late Seventh and early Eighth Centuries. As a missionary to the pagan Europeans, legends say he converted many after miracles of healing. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia (Internet edition), "...the fame of his learning and piety drew many from far and wide. The report of the bishop's ability reached Duke Theodo II of Bavaria...."

Theodo granted Rupert the town of Juvavum which had been a Celtic settlement, then a Roman municipality. Rupert revived the declining town, building a church, monastery, and school. He also revived the salt mining industry which gave the town its modern name, Salzburg.

Provence Beyond has a nice series of photographs of Herb Robert taken by Russ Collins. To view the photographs, click on the link:

http://www.provencebeyond.com/flora/geranred.html

Click on the image to enlarge and use the pink arrows to view the series.

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