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Geranium viscosissimum (Sticky purple geranium)
Glase, Terry

Geranium viscosissimum

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

Sticky Purple Geranium, Sticky Wild Geranium

Geraniaceae (Geranium Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: GEVI2

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)

The many-toothed, deeply-lobed, bright-green leaves of this large, clumped wild geranium occur on strong, branching, 1-3 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. Dove's 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

18 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Schizocarp
Size Notes: Up to about 3 feet tall.
Leaf: Green
Fruit: Shaped like an upraised crane's bill.

Bloom Information

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

Distribution

USA: CA , CO , ID , MT , NE , NM , NV , OR , SD , UT , WA , WY
Canada: AB , BC , SK
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.

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.

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.

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:AGCPAKAWCBEMPGPHIMWNCNEWMVE
Status: FAC FACU FACU
This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Web Reference

Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) Calflora
Webref 36 - Jepson eFlora (2019) The Jepson Herbarium, University of California, Berkeley
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

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: 2023-02-13
Research By: TWC Staff

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