A smelly weed

[noviceveggrower]

Hi,
Can anyone tell me what this weed is. If you crush the leaves between your fingers they are left with a funny smell.



Thanks

[Two_Sheds]

Herb Robert

[Jeanied]

It is also a wild member of the geranium family and is called cranesbill because of the shape of the seed head. All geraniums seem to have smelly leaves - some more fragrant than others!

[alldigging]

Herb robert without looking at the picture.

[noviceveggrower]

Is it a weed or a 'useful' plant to have in the garden?

[Bill HH]

In my opinion it is a nasty weed, it gets everywhere particularly under other plants where you cant see it. It's only saving grace is that it is easy to pull up. Like many weeds it adapts its size to the conditions and can grow very large or so tiny you can hardly see it.
I dont think it does a lot of harm and you may well like it but you need to watch that it doesnt throttle other things.

[Methe]

I see you're in the West Midlands too. This is my most prevalent weed here in Halesowen, it is everywhere, it must really like our climate. I think it's quite fascinating really.. If you look at the root structure it is really unusual. Like Bill says it's easy to remove and quite satisfying trying to pull it up in one bit

[Bill HH]

I see you're in the West Midlands too. This is my most prevalent weed here in Halesowen, it is everywhere, it must really like our climate. I think it's quite fascinating really.. If you look at the root structure it is really unusual. Like Bill says it's easy to remove and quite satisfying trying to pull it up in one bit

Its very prevalent in sunny Devon, in fact i think its drought proof.

[Jeanied]

It is so invasive as a weed because the seed pod explodes and sends seeds everywhere - I have had it grow on the ground and invade hanging baskets many feet above.

[alldigging]

It smells nice, has lovely pink flowers and self seeds.

What's not to like?

[noviceveggrower]

I see you're in the West Midlands too. This is my most prevalent weed here in Halesowen, it is everywhere, it must really like our climate. I think it's quite fascinating really.. If you look at the root structure it is really unusual. Like Bill says it's easy to remove and quite satisfying trying to pull it up in one bit

I have this stuff and buttercups. Little girl loves buttercups and gets a bit upset with me when she sees me digging them up. I end up having to dig them up when she is at school.
Is a bit satisfying when you pull weeds up in one go. Bit like pulling all of a dandelion up with its long root and you know you've got all of it and you don't have to dig about for it all.

[noviceveggrower]

It smells nice, has lovely pink flowers and self seeds.

What's not to like?

As they say one mans rose is another mans weed. I think that's they way it goes. Hey I've been up along time with the kids wittering at me about their breakfast cereal.

[Nicos]

Sound like it's medicinally useful!.....

"Herb Robert is plant. It has an unpleasant odor, so it is sometimes called “Stinky Bob.” The leaves, stems, and flowers are used to make medicine.

Herb Robert is used for diarrhea; to improve functioning of the liver and gallbladder; to reduce swelling (inflammation) of the kidney, bladder, and gallbladder; and to prevent the formation of stones in the kidney, bladder, or gallbladder.

Some people use Herb Robert as a mouthwash or gargle. The fresh leaves are chewed to relieve sore mouth and throat.

How does it work?
An extract of Herb Robert may slow the growth of bacteria and viruses."


... Not that I'm suggesting you try it out...but thought you'd find this of interest!

[Bren In Pots]

It smells nice, has lovely pink flowers and self seeds.

What's not to like?

Bees like it so i leave it to grow anywhere apart from in my veg beds.