Carolina Geranium (Geranium Carolinianum)

Geraniaceae (Geranium Family) 

Group: Dicot (Broadleaf)

A biennial or sometimes annual forb native of North America. It initially forms a basal rosette and stems subsequently elongate and branch freely. It is commonly found in cultivated fields, waste areas, and roadsides.

Leaves are alternate near the base, opposite above, hairy on both surfaces, round to oval, deeply cut into 5 to 7 fingerlike lobes or toothed segments, and on a long leaf stalk.

Stem is semi-erect, widely branching near the base, densely hairy, greenish pink to red, 4 to 31 inches tall.

Flowers are whitish pink to purple with five petals. A long bill-like spike comes out of the fruit giving it the appearance of a crane’s bill.

Roots are fibrous with a shallow taproot.

Propagation is by seed.