Status: Native
Synonyms:
Geranium atropurpureum Heller
Geranium caespitosum James var. eremophilum (wooton & Standley) ined. Martin & Hutchins
Geranium eremophilum Wooton & Standley
Geranium fremontii Torrey ex Gray
Geranium furcatum Hanks
Geranium parryi (Engelmann) Heller
Geranium caespitosum is a common middle elevation herb with purple flowers and deeply lobed leaves. The sepals are acuminate. There are ten stamens and five carpels. The fruit is a schizocarp with five mericarps. The mericarps each have an elastic hygroscopic awn that curls when ripe. Geranium caespitosum is found where the ground stays moist, frequently alongside creeks or in canyons.
Please click on an image for a larger file.
Geranium caespitosum, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Burro Mtns., Deadman Canyon, June 13, 2007
Geranium caespitosum, schizocarp, photo Russ Kleinman, Pinos Altos Range, Meadow Creek, Sept. 5, 2008
Geranium caespitosum, closeup of flower showing ten stamens and five style branches, photo Russ Kleinman, Pinos Altos Range, Pinos Altos, August 8, 2010
Geranium caespitosum, closeup of dehisced mericarps curled on hygroscopic awn, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Deadman Canyon, January 16, 2011
Geranium caespitosum, floral dissection showing superior ovary and hypogynous perianth, photo Russ Kleinman, Pinos Altos Range, Cherry Creek Campground, September 9, 2011
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