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Native Plant Database

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Geranium viscosissimum (Sticky purple geranium)
Bruso, George H.

Geranium viscosissimum Fisch. & C.A. Mey. ex C.A. Mey.

Sticky purple geranium, Sticky wild geranium

Geraniaceae (Geranium Family)

USDA Symbol: GEVI2

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

The many-toothed, deeply-lobed, bright-green leaves of this large, clumped wild geranium occur on strong, branching, 1-2 ft., flower stalks. A lightly-haired plant with several stems, leaves on long stalks, most near the base, and a few pink-lavender to purplish flowers in an open cluster near the top. Pinkish to lavender, 1 1/2 in. wide, saucer-shaped flowers occur at stem tips. Stem, leaves, and flower stalks are covered with sticky hairs.

This is one of several western Geraniums with pinkish-purple flowers; all are similar, distinguished only by technical features. Doves Foot Geranium (G. molle), with small pink flowers, is a common weed on lawns and in vacant lots and is native to Europe.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb
Leaf: Green
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Pink , Purple
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: CA , CO , ID , MT , NE , NM , NV , OR , SD , UT , WA , WY
Canada: AB
Native Distribution: B.C. to n. CA, e. of the Cascades, e. to Sask., the Black Hills & w. NE
Native Habitat: Grassy, lowland to higher elevation meadows
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Various dry-mesic to moist soils.
Conditions Comments: Not Available

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Butterflies

Propagation

Description: Like all geraniums, this species can be established from seed though germination is low and field-sown seeds are subject to insect damage. Woody stem cuttings taken in spring will root in heated frames or under intermittent mist.
Seed Collection: Collection is difficult becuse seeds are actively dispersed.
Seed Treatment: Scarification increases germination. If seeds have been air-dried, they are more permeable to water and will require less scarification.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

From the National Suppliers Directory

According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:

Oregon Native Plant Nursery - Woodburn, OR

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Bibliography

Bibref 946 - Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, Sally
Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Geranium viscosissimum in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Geranium viscosissimum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Geranium viscosissimum

Metadata

Record Modified: 2012-09-12
Research By: TWC Staff

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