5. Geranium xmagnificum Hyl. (= G. ibericum Cav. subsp. ibericum x G. platypetalum Fisch. et C.A. Mey.) (Cult.) – A rare and probably ephemeral escape from cultivation (sometimes persisting for some time). Probably first recorded in a roadverge in Fraire at the beginning of the 20th century. More often seen in the past decades, for instance in 1952 on the banks of the Albertkanaal near Wijnegem. In 1953 also recorded in Lamorteau (without further details) and in 1955 and 1956 in Kessel-Lo. In 1976 seen on an off-ramp in Ethe. Finally, also recorded as a relic of cultivation in an old park in Watermaal-Bosvoorde in 1987 (Verloove 2002) and in an abandoned cemetery in Comblain-au-Pont in 1988. Doubtlessly widely neglected elsewhere.
Geranium xmagnificum was long confused with G. platypetalum in Belgium (Lambinon 1987). The latter is much rarer in gardens and never occurred as an escape in Belgium. According to Sell & Murrell (2009) Geranium xmagnificum probably is the commonest Geranium species grown in British gardens.
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Selected literature:
Lambinon J. (1987) Geranium x magnificum Hyl. échappé de culture en Belgique. Nat. Mosana 40(1): 1-2.
Sell P. & Murrell G. (2009) Flora of Great Britain and Ireland. Vol. 3 Mimosaceae – Lentibulariaceae. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge: XXVIII + 595 p.
Verloove F. (2002) Ingeburgerde plantensoorten in Vlaanderen. Mededeling van het Instituut voor Natuurbehoud n° 20: 227 p.