Invasive Species: Herb Robert
Geranium robertianum
Herb Robert is a native of Eurasia and North Africa.
It has been rapidly spreading in the Pacific Northwest since the 1980s.
Why is it important to control?
Herb Robert is an annual. Annuals live only one season and as such are highly adapted to produce a great many seeds. It can grow as dense as 250 plants per square meter, smothering out any native plants reducing diversity. This result increases landscape maintenance costs.
How can you identify it?
| Habitat: | Shaded, moist woodlands |
| Life Cycle: | Winter and Spring Annual |
| Height: | 1ft |
| Leaf Description: | Light green, deeply dissected leaves. Foliage turns red in fall. Leaves release a strong odor when crushed. |
| Fruit & Flower Description: | Five white or pink petals; seeds may be ejected up to 20ft |
| Bloom Time: | Spring through Fall |
