Flower profile

Herb robert

Geranium robertianum

Introduced in the lower 48

Herb robert is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as introduced in the lower 48 states. It's on our flower lists for 5 states, and across the U.S. it's most often seen in bloom in April–October.

26states

5of our state lists

28,382U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Michigan, New York, Oregon, Vermont, Washington

🚫

Regulated invasive plant in Washington and Oregon. It's on those states' official invasive plant lists (Washington: Class B noxious weed (control required in listed regions); Oregon: "B" noxious weed (sale and transport prohibited)). Please don't plant or share it there. ^{WAC 16-750 OAR 603-052-1200}

Quick look

Geranium robertianum, commonly known as herb-robert or, in North America, as Robert's geranium, is a species of cranesbill that is widespread throughout the northern hemisphere and introduced to some countries in the southern. It is common in woods, hedges, gardens, and on waste ground, and can also be found on shingle beaches and limestone pavements.
From Wikipedia's article Geranium robertianum, CC BY-SA 4.0.

It belongs to the Geraniaceae family. ^iNaturalist
USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) with a annual, biennial life cycle. ^{USDA PLANTS}
USDA PLANTS lists it as introduced in the lower 48 states and records it in 26 states. ^{USDA PLANTS}
NatureServe lists it as native to Washington, New York, Vermont and Michigan. ^NatureServe
NatureServe lists it as not native to Oregon. ^NatureServe
In Washington, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in April–July. ^iNaturalist
In Oregon, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in April–July. ^iNaturalist
iNaturalist has 8,999 research-grade sightings of it in Washington, ranking #7 among the 110 flowers on our Washington list. ^iNaturalist
iNaturalist has 4,999 research-grade sightings of it in Oregon, ranking #23 among the 110 flowers on our Oregon list. ^iNaturalist
iNaturalist has 4,081 research-grade sightings of it in New York, ranking #55 among the 109 flowers on our New York list. ^iNaturalist

State flower gift ideas

This one is a regulated invasive plant, so here are state flower gifts instead.

🌱 Sample spot. Handmade gift picks from independent shops will appear here once our shop partnership is approved. These cards are placeholders, not real products.

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State flower print
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Birth-flower necklace
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Wildflower seed favors
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Botanical tea towel
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Pressed-flower frame
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Flower-garden mug
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When does it bloom?

Flowering records by month across the U.S. (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (6,673 records)

Bloom time in each of our 5 states

State	Type	Peak bloom	Sightings*
Washington	Native	April–July	8,999
Oregon	Introduced	April–July	4,999
New York	Native	May–October	4,081
Vermont	Native	May–October	2,033
Michigan	Native	May–October	1,855

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA): Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. ^{USFWS ECOS}
NatureServe global: G5 Secure worldwide. ^NatureServe
Washington: No list Washington has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants (the Washington Natural Heritage Program's rare plant list isn't regulatory), so we show NatureServe's Washington ranks instead. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Washington.
Oregon: Not listed Not on Oregon endangered and threatened plants (OAR 603-073-0070). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Oregon. ^{OAR 603-073-0070}
New York: Not listed Not on New York protected native plants (6 NYCRR § 193.3). NatureServe: S5, secure in New York. ^{6 NYCRR § 193.3}
Vermont: Not listed Not on Endangered and Threatened Plants of Vermont (10 V.S.A. chap. 123; list of Feb 10, 2022). NatureServe: S5, secure in Vermont. ^{Vermont E&T list}
Michigan: Not listed Not on Michigan endangered and threatened plants (Mich. Admin. Code R 299.1028, eff. March 20, 2023). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Michigan. ^{R 299.1028}
Rare elsewhere: Other states where NatureServe ranks it rare or missing: MD (S1), RI (S1), TN (S1). (S1 critically imperiled, S2 imperiled, SH possibly extirpated, SX presumed extirpated.)

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peopleNot well documented

None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension (no page for this plant), USDA PLANTS) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people.

For petsNot well documented

It isn't on the ASPCA plant list.

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records herb robert in 26 states.

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recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Alaska, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin.

Washington counties with USDA records: Clallam, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, King, Kitsap, Klickitat, Lewis, Pacific, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Skamania, Snohomish, Thurston, Wahkiakum, Whatcom.

Oregon counties with USDA records: Benton, Clackamas, Douglas, Lane, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Tillamook, Washington, Yamhill.

New York counties with USDA records: Albany, Bronx, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Chemung, Chenango, Clinton, Columbia, Delaware, Dutchess, Erie, Essex, Greene, Herkimer, Jefferson, Kings, Lewis, Livingston, Madison, New York, Niagara, Oneida, Onondaga, Ontario, Orange, Oswego, Otsego, Putnam, Queens, Rensselaer, Richmond, Rockland, Schenectady, Schoharie, St. Lawrence, Suffolk, Tompkins, Ulster, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Westchester, Yates.

More Washington flowers

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Redstem stork's-bill

Erodium cicutarium

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🌼 Blooms in WA: March–June

Shining crane's-bill

Geranium lucidum

Introduced

🌼 Blooms: April–June

Sources

USDA, NRCS. PLANTS Database, profile GERO.
iNaturalist, Geranium robertianum: taxonomy, research-grade observation counts and “Flowering” annotations, retrieved October 17, 2026.
Wikipedia, Geranium robertianum (lead quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0).
Washington: Washington State noxious weed list (WAC 16-750-005, -011, -015).
Oregon: Oregon endangered and threatened plants (OAR 603-073-0070).
Oregon: Oregon noxious weed quarantine, A and B weeds (OAR 603-052-1200).
New York: New York protected native plants (6 NYCRR § 193.3).
New York: New York prohibited and regulated invasive species (6 NYCRR Part 575).
Vermont: Endangered and Threatened Plants of Vermont (10 V.S.A. chap. 123; list of Feb 10, 2022).
Vermont: Vermont Quarantine List, Regulated Introduced Plant Species Rule (eff. June 16, 2026).
Michigan: Michigan endangered and threatened plants (Mich. Admin. Code R 299.1028, eff. March 20, 2023).
Michigan: Michigan prohibited and restricted species (NREPA Part 413 and the 2026 Invasive Species Order), as listed by Michigan's Invasive Species Program.
USFWS, ECOS species database (ESA listing check), October 17, 2026.
NatureServe Explorer, Geranium robertianum (global and state ranks).
Edibility and toxicity: no source found (marked "not well documented").
Photo: Chelsea Carroll via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized.