Monday, June 28, 2010

Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum)

Geranium maculatum is known by the common names Wild Geranium or Spotted Geranium. At Fort Yargo State Park, I’ve seen this plant at the head of the trail from the campgrounds to the dam (segment 6-7) and in the grassy area below the park office. In Walton County, I’ve seen it in roadside gardens.

This plant was growing in full shade. I almost missed it. I later saw plants growing in partial shade and full sun.

A close up of the flower and developing buds – in the shade.

Another close up of the flower with pollen – in the sun.

Geranium maculatum is native to the eastern United States and Canada. In Canada it grows in Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec. In the United States it grows in all states including, and east of , a line from North and South Dakota, Iowa, Kansas, Oklahoma and Louisiana; it doesn’t grow in Florida.
Click on an image to view a larger image

Distribution Map:
- United States Department of Agriculture Plants Database: Geranium maculatum (Spotted Geranium)
- University of North Carolina Herbarium: Geranium maculatum

Identification resources:
- Southeastern Flora: Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum)
- Natural and Naturalized Plants of the Carolinas and Georgia: Geranium maculatum
- Missouri Plants: Geranium maculatum

Related posts:
- 2010: Year Of The Wildflower
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2 comments:

  1. rebeccaJune 28, 2010 at 8:10 PM

    One of my favorites! Though it's been done blooming for a while now up here in Ohio. (I'm moving to Georgia in August, though - can't wait.)

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  2. JSKJune 30, 2010 at 6:01 PM

    Hi Rebecca.
    I have a confession to make. I need to update the months on my wildflower index page. This plant bloomed in late April and is done here now too. I'm way behind in posting the wildflowers. On the day I spotted this one (4/25), I spotted 15 others for the first time this year. But I wanted to post on all the wildflowers I see during the year in the order I see them and, even at approximately one/day, I can't keep up.
    It's slowing down now with the really hot weather but I believe I spotted more than 100 wildflowers on our place (16-odd acres) alone last year. It's a challenge to keep up!
    Anyway, welcome to Georgia when you get here. I think you'll see a lot of familiar plants and creatures as well as some new ones.

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