Wood Cranesbill

Description:

Perennial herb. Height 25–50 cm. Flower 15–35 mm - petals 5, dark purple, red or white, quite round–with notched tips. Flowers usually in pairs (sometimes several together) axillary or terminating stems. Flower-stalks erect. Leaves basal rosette and on stem opposite. Basal leaves long-stalked, stem leaves short-stalked–stalkless, stipulate.

Habitat:

Forests, young and grove-like forest heaths, steam banks, shore hedgerows, meadows, banks

Notes:

This is a very common flower in Finland, called metsäkurjenpolvi in Finnish (the direct translation the knee of the forest crane). Old folk also call this plant juhannuskukka, Midsummer flower, as this blooms during Midsummer celebration time here (which is today:)