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Doves Foot Cranes bill

Geranium Molle

Photo by HemaShah
Published on Project Noah
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37.2469, -119.622

Field Notes

Description:

Geranium molle is a small plant reaching on average 5–30 centimetres (2.0–12 in) in height It is a very branched plant, quite hairy, with several ascending stems. The leaves are palmate, cut 5 to 9 times. The basal leaves are arranged in a rosette, the upper ones are sessile, rounded and hairy, with a long petiole of about 5–12 millimetres (0.20–0.47 in). The flowers are pinkish-purple, 8-12 mm in diameter, with very jagged petals. It blooms from April to September. The flowers are hermaphrodite and mainly pollinated by Hymenoptera. Fruits are glabrous, usually with 6-9 transverse ridges

Habitat:

it is found in dry meadows, hedges, banks and waste ground. It prefers sunny places on sandy and relatively dry soils, at an altitude of 0–1,000 metres (0–3,300 ft) above sea level.

Notes:

It is native to the Mediterranean and sub-Mediterranean areas, but is now naturalized in other parts of Europe, in southwestern and central Asia and in North Africa. It is an introduced species also in North America, where it is known as Dovefoot Geranium or Awnless Geranium. It is a noxious weed in the Pacific Northwest and quickly forms a groundcover on open areas, among grasses, and in planting beds. Glyphosate is an effective control measure.

Species ID Suggestions

Doves Foot Cranesbill

Geranium Molle

Comments (16)

@Emma--per the Wikipedia link that Sanjay provided it is a noxious weed in the Pacific Northwest by the way. I love that it has medical properties.
The fact that it is pollinated by Hymenoptera is so true. I have seen lots of bees and wasps in that area.
It is native to the Mediterranean and sub-Mediterranean areas. This is a second spotting of a plant from the Mediterranean that i have found on this side walk. One thing is for sure,we have very active seed dispersal in this area!.
Thanks Sanjay. That took a major load off my mind! Very delited to have the ID!
Savannah, this link shows a similar looking weed. This too has pink flowers. But the pink flowers look different in this one. http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/9030286
Savannah,this is invasive. i am studying weeds right now. Picture number 2 shows the teeny pink flowers talking about. There is a similar looking weed which turns fiery red.
I have this same plant growing under my fence from a neighbors yard. I live in Vancouver BC. I would say this is a 'weed' due to the rapid spreading it can accomplish. Mine grows amongst English Ivy & another sort of creeping Ivy. This plant will bloom teeny pink flowers over summer then the plant will turn fiery red. I will search for a photo. I cut mine all back during the frost & am now seeing sprouts EVERYWHERE. This continues year-round.
Apple,does not look like columbine. It did grow a pink flower tough{ Picture number 2)
Wow i t would be amazing if it were Columbine! i hope it is!! i have an assortment of weeds right now in the backyard. Which Of course means more work!! i also found Miners Lettuce. I had seen Columbine and miners at Y osemite National Park . Was quite surprised to see it her. Just means that there is active Seed dispersal.
Yeah, I figured you would say that. It's funny because it probably wouldn't just be a weed if it were Columbine but if you keep an eye on it, it might grow up and be more identifiable. My husband walked by (not usually too interested in my fascination with Project Noah) and he said, we have that out in the front garden, I asked him to tell me which one and determined he meant the Columbine. I had already been thinking it seemed too familiar to Columbine. But, it's also unlikely it would just pop up on its own. Interested to see if anyone has an ID.
Apple ,I just saw it as a sprawling weed. I f It blooms i will keep an eye on it!
The leaf structure looks like Columibine---Aquilegia. Do you know if it flowers?
I thought so too Antonio. I thought that your plant looked more like Ivy. Thnx anyways. Your idea for that mission is excellent. i have the same problem here in terms of time. A mission does require a lot more efforts and dedication. You should start that mission when ever you are ready. Thnx for the idea though!
i have something like this in my spotting list ,in a more redish colour fase,tomorrow i'll go to see if it is id and i tell you something if that is the case,now it's the end of my noah late nigth,it's 4h13m,i dont know if is inconvinient or not normal but just for my couriosity,what time is there in your california area?i remark now that in your map zone there are a clovis village,is that the place of so call clovis pré-historic arrow stone point arquiologic finding?
Photographed
PublishedFebruary 23, 2012

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