Carolina Geranium, Wild Geranium

Geranium carolinianum

jer-AIN-ee-um care-oh-lin-ee-AIN-um

Geraniaceae

Native to:  North America, including Florida

Florida abundance and distribution:  Throughout.  A winter annual along roadsides, in ditches, in gardens, in turf, and in disturbed areas.

Recognition:    Rosette, or rising to about a foot tall.  Stems very hairy, arranged in a circular pattern from the base of the plant, green to pink or reddish.   Leaves palmately lobed.  Flowers ½” diam., white to pink or purplish.  Capsule resembling a bird’s beak, about 2 mm long, lobed, with 5 seeds, springing open to eject the seeds.  Seeds eaten by birds and insects.

Contributed by: William Mullarkey