From the Greek γέρανος, géranos (or γερανός, geranós), “crane,” because some of the fruits resemble a crane’s bill
Species
robertianum
Derives from the medieval Latin name herba roberti after Robertus (Saint Robert), a French ecclesiastic who was the founder of the Carthusians and died in 1067. It has also been suggested that the name relates to [St.?] Rupert, Archbishop of Salszburg who died 717 or to Robert, Duke of Normandy
Herb robert is a native Europe, Asia, and north Africa. It may be native to North America
as well.
Identification: Forking stems (a) are up to 10″ (25 cm) long. Leaves are triangular in shape and deeply divided, like
those of ferns. Grown in bright sunlight, stems and leaves may be bright red, or red-tinged. Small, attractive pink flowers have five rounded petals (c) that ¼-⅜″ (7-10 mm) long; flowers are ⅜-¾″ (1-2 cm) in diameter. Fruits are small capsules (f); seeds (g) are brown, 1/16″ (2 mm) long. Fruit capsules of this
plant (e), like many
other cranesbills, grow a spring-loaded beak-shaped column that triggers suddenly, spreading
the seeds. The crushed leaves produce an odor similar to that of burning
tires, which is sometimes used as an insect repellent. For this reason it is sometimes called "Stinky Bob."
From Sturm, Johann Georg (Painter: Jacob Sturm), Deutschlands Flora in Abbildungen nach der Natur mit Beschreibungen, Nrnberg: Gedruckt auf Kosten des Verfassers, 1796.
Medical: Herb robert has been used to treat nosebleeds and toothaches.