How to identify Wild geranium (Geranium maculatum)

How to identify Wild geranium (Geranium maculatum)

Wild geranium, also known as Wild crane's-bill, Alum root

Wild geranium is a perennial plant distinguished by its clump-forming habit and deeply lobed, palmate leaves. It showcases delicate flowers, typically in shades of lavender or purple, which are borne on erect stems standing around 1-2 feet (30-60 cm) above the foliage. Each flower comprises 5 rounded petals radiating from a central core, creating a characteristic geranium shape. The blooms emerge in late spring to early summer. The plant's foliage may display a vibrant green that becomes tinged with yellow as summer progresses, especially in the hottest months.

Lifespan: Perennial, Annual

Plant Type: Herb

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Wild geranium

Saucer-shaped flowers in pink to lilac hues with distinctive nectar guide veins.

Beaked seed capsules resembling a crane's bill, about 1 inch (2.5 cm) long.

Deeply lobed, palmate leaves with coarse-toothed margins, covered in fine hairs.

Round stems, green to reddish in color, 0.2-0.4 inches (0.5-1 cm) thick, and hairy.

Clump-forming habit with delicate lavender or purple flowers on 1-2 feet (30-60 cm) erect stems.

Detailed Traits of Wild geranium

Leaf Features

The leaves of wild geranium form a loose cluster and the basal leaves measure 3-6 inches (7.6-15.2 cm) in both length and width. These leaves are deeply lobed into 5 sections with coarse-toothed margins. The upper surface of the leaf is covered in fine hairs, while the underside has coarser hairs. The smaller upper stem leaves have 3 lobes. The texture and lobed shape are key identifiers for this plant.

Leaf Shape

Circular ,

Reniform ,

Palmate

Leaf Type

Simple

Leaf Base

Cordate

Leaf Arrangement

Alternate

Leaf Apex

Acute

Leaf Margin

Palmate ,

Crenate

Learn About the Leaf Glossary

Flower Features

The flowers of wild geranium are upward-facing and saucer-shaped, measuring about 1 1/4 inches (3.2 cm) wide. They exhibit a striking pink to lilac hue with delicate veins that serve as nectar guides across the petals. Each flower comprises 2 to 5 blooms arranged in umbels or corymbs. These exquisite flowers can be observed from April to June, providing a vibrant display. Their notable size and distinctive coloration make them a key feature for identification.

Corolla Type

Rosaceous

Inflorescence Type

Umbel

Learn About the Flower Glossary

Stem Features

The stem of wild geranium is typically round and exhibits a green to reddish hue. The surface of the stem is covered with fine hairs, contributing to a slightly rough texture. Typically, the stems are moderately thick, about 0.2-0.4 inches (0.5-1 cm) in diameter, and can grow to 2-3 feet (60-90 cm) in height. Branching is sparse, with stems emerging less frequently along the length. This stem's hairy texture and color variation are key identification features.

Learn About the Stem Glossary

Fruit Features

The fruit of wild geranium is a distinctive beaked seed capsule, which peaks in availability from May to July. These capsules are elongated and pointed, resembling the bill of a crane, a key feature for identification. When mature, the fruits take on a brownish hue and exhibit a fine, hairy texture. Each fruit typically measures about 1 inch (2.5 cm) in length. Upon reaching maturity, they split open to release seeds, providing a unique visual interest that can aid in recognizing wild geranium.

Fruit Type

Capsule

Learn About the Fruit Glossary

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Wild geranium and Their Similar Plants

Bloody cranesbill vs. Wild geranium: What's The Difference?

Bloody cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum) is a flowering perennial herb native to Europe and Asia. The bloody cranesbill often cultivated as an ornamental plant in gardens which is prized for its starry flower in spring and blood-red leaves in fall. Its Latin name 'sanguineum' is to describe their red leaves.

Himalayan crane's-bill vs. Wild geranium: What's The Difference?

Himalayan crane's-bill (Geranium himalayense) is a deciduous perennial that will grow from 23 to 46 cm tall. It forms dense mounds of dainty, cup-shaped flowers in shades of violet, purple and blue. Himalayan crane's-bill blossoms emerge in early to mid-summer. This species changes color from green to reddish-orange in fall.

Carolina geranium vs. Wild geranium: What's The Difference?

Carolina geranium is a wildflower with tall stems covered in distinctive, spiky growths that resemble hair. Each pink or white flower has a five-petal shape and grows clustered together with others. One of the most unusual features of the plant is its fruit, which has an elongated, beak-like shape, leading to its common Southern nickname: "Cranesbill."

Giant herb-robert vs. Wild geranium: What's The Difference?

Giant herb-robert is a popular, award-winning ornamental species with dramatic pink and lilac flowers that add great color to the beds and borders of cottage and Mediterranean gardens. The stems and sepals of the giant herb-robert are covered in hairs that trap insects, encouraging pollination.

Carpet geranium vs. Wild geranium: What's The Difference?

Carpet geranium is characterized by its velvety, feathery foliage that forms a dense mat, and it is crowned with delicate, magenta to violet flowers. This hardy perennial thrives in rocky, well-drained soils, basking in full sun to part shade. Its sprawling growth habit allows it to gracefully cover ground and fill spaces, a testament to its adaptability and resilience in dry, challenging environments.

Ashy crane's-bill 'Ballerina' vs. Wild geranium: What's The Difference?

Ashy crane's-bill 'Ballerina' charms with its delicate pink flowers veined with deep magenta, resembling tiny cranesbill blooms. This compact perennial thrives in sunny rock gardens, its gray-green foliage forming a low mound that frames the vivid floral show. Adaptable and hardy, it's a delightful splash of color in dry, well-drained soils.

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Key Facts About Wild geranium

Attributes of Wild geranium

Plant Type

Herb

Plant Height

60 cm

Spread

30 cm to 60 cm

Leaf Color

Green

Flower Size

2.5 cm to 4 cm

Flower Color

Pink

Purple

White

Stem Color

Green

Pink

Red

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Scientific Classification of Wild geranium

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Geraniums, bridal wreaths, and allies

Family

Geranium

Genus

Geraniums

Species

Wild geranium (Geranium maculatum)

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Distribution Map of Wild geranium

Wild geranium is a wildflower with a native range from southeast Canada across the central and eastern United States. It does not occur anywhere else as an introduced species although its showy flowers make this deciduous woodland native a popular ornamental plant.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

Learn More About the Wild geranium

A Comprehensive Guide to Wild geranium How to Grow and Care for Wild geranium