Geranium
in ordinary language, a term most frequently applied to any of the cultivated pelargoniums (these belong to the Geraniaceæ, but are not the typical genus); also a book name, and partly a popular one, for the genus Geranium. In botany, the typical genus of the order Geraniaceæ and the alliance geraniales. Geranium sanguineum is a perennial plant with one-flowered peduncles. It is found in dry rocky places, on sandy shores, and on mountains. G. sylvaticum, G. pratense, and G. pyrenaicum are perennial, with two-flowered peduncles. Other common species are G. molle, G. rotundifolium, G. pusillum, G. columbinum, G. dissectum, G. robertianum, and G. lucidum. The root of geranium contains more tannin than quino does, and is a very powerful astringent.
The tubers of G. parviflorum are eaten in Van Diemen's Land, where it is called the native carrot. Indian geranium is the name given by perfumers to Andropogon nardus; and the nettle geranium is Coleus fruticosus.
GERAR an ancient town or place of the Philistines in the times of Abraham and Isaac, in the S. of Judah, not far from Gaza.
GERARD