Geranium molle aka Awnless Geranium

Geranium molle, or dove's foot cranesbill, is an annual wildflower. It belongs to the geranium family, Geraniaceae. Other names include culver root, starlight, and troed y glomen. Its native range covers Europe, North Africa, and southwest Asia. It is native to Britain and Ireland. It grows in grassland, dunes, waste ground, and cultivated soil. In gardens, it often appears in dry lawns where grass grows poorly.

This plant forms clumps and reaches about 1 foot (0.3 m) tall. The RHS gives a broader height range of 0.3–1.6 feet (0.1–0.5 m). Its listed spread is also 0.3–1.6 feet (0.1–0.5 m). Fine hairs cover its grey-green leaves, which have deep lobes. The foliage is deciduous. Small flowers range from deep pink to white. Their notched edges help mark the blooms. Flowers appear from spring through autumn, followed by seed pods. These pods burst open and scatter their seeds.

Grow it in full sun or partial shade. It accepts chalk, clay, loam, and sandy soils. Acid, neutral, and alkaline soils all suit it. Good drainage matters, and it grows naturally in rather dry ground. The listed moisture range runs from dry to moist. It can grow in exposed or sheltered sites. The RHS assigns it hardiness rating H6. This rating covers UK conditions down to about −4°F to 5°F (−20°C to −15°C).

Dove's foot cranesbill suits wildflower meadows and gardens for wildlife. Its flowers attract pollinators, and it can enrich a mixed lawn. The same seed spread can cause trouble in fine lawns. Plants allowed to flower may spread fast across the grass. Hand weeding may be needed where this growth is unwanted. It needs no pruning. The RHS reports few pest problems, though powdery mildew may occur. Its value depends on whether a gardener welcomes wildflowers among the grass.

Plants For A Future lists no known edible uses. It gives the plant an edibility score of zero. The same source records no known hazards. That does not establish that every part is safe to eat. It records traditional uses for pain relief and wound care. It also describes an astringent use and gives medicinal value a low score. These records describe uses rather than proof of treatment benefits. No other uses are known to that source.