Wildflower Wednesday

This week’s Wildflower Wednesday feature flower is Herb Robert.

Herb Robert is a dainty member of the geranium family that is found in woodlands and shorelines, it blooms May – October. There is some disagreement over whether it is native to WI or not but based on my limited research I would say the native argument seems to be winning.

It is predominantly found in Door County but has been found in a few other counties in WI, including Dane.

Some states consider it invasive due to its ability to rapidly spread its seeds. When its mature seed pods are brushed against, they explode shooting seeds over 15 feet.

Its crushed leaves have a very pungent, unpleasant smell and was rubbed on the skin to repel mosquitoes.

It is said to be named after Robin Good-Fellow- Puck, from Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and to harm it “is to court disaster – your house might well be struck by lightning”