Distribution and biology of dove’s-foot crane’s-bill in the UK

Dove’s-foot crane’s-bill is a broad-leaved weed found in field margins and headlands. Find out how to identify and control it.

Dove’s-foot crane’s-bill (Geranium molle) is found on lightly grassed margins and in arable crops, particularly in headland areas. Reproduction is by seed. It is most often seen in spring crops, but it can germinate in the autumn and overwinter and grow vigorously in more open winter crops.

• It is particularly competitive in winter oilseed rape

An annual dicotyledon, 10–30 cm tall. The leaves are cut to less than halfway and have a rounded outline.

Plant: It is distinguished from other geraniums by the almost round leaves. The stems are covered by both long and short hairs, so look softly hairy.

Flower: The pink petals have broad, blunt notches at the tip.

Dove’s-foot crane’s-bill occurs in a wide range of habitats, up to an altitude of 550 m. It prefers some bare ground and is not frequent in arable crops.

It is found on moderately dry, loose sandy soils, rich in humus and nutrients with pH >5.

• Seed longevity: >5 years
• Seed weight: 1.25 mg
• Seeds/flower: 5
• Seeds/plant: 100–1,500

For advice on herbicides, please speak with your agronomist or adviser.

When was this information last updated?

This page is based on content from the encyclopaedia of arable weeds publication. Since it was first released in 2008, the publication has been redesigned several times but not revised. However, it remains a good foundation for general information on the distribution and biology of weeds.