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Project Noah Nature School
Geranium carolinianum
Geranium carolinianum is a species of geranium. This is an annual herb reaching just over half a meter in maximum height. It has erect stems covered in spiky hairs. The palmate leaves are several centimeters wide and divided into usually five segments which are each subdivided into elegantly pointed lobes. The inflorescence is a cluster of one to several small flowers. Each flower has five pointed sepals and five notched petals in shades of white to lavender. The fruit has a hairy body and a style up to 1.5 centimeters long.
It is native to North America, where it is widespread and grows in many types of habitat. This one was growing in an open area along a path at the Phinizy Swamp Nature Park.
It is sometimes called Carolina geranium. Noted visitors for nectar include long-tongued bees (Megachile spp.), short-tongued bees (Halictid), and flower flies (Syrphid) whom in the larval stage can be early cool season aphid control. Mourning Doves have been observed eating the seeds.
Spotted on Apr 5, 2014
Submitted on Jan 2, 2015
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