Pineywoods GeraniumGeranium caespitosum Common Names: Purple Geranium, Tufted Geranium General DescriptionThe Pineywoods Geranium has reddish, short-hairy stems with relatively large leaves. It has bright pink to light purple flowers at the top, about 1.5 inches across. They consist of five elliptic petals, with a few darker veins running lengthwise, below and between which are five greenish-pink sepals, terminating in a short spike (acuminate). The lower portion of the petals have a partial covering of long, straggly white hairs. When the flower is fully open the petals bend back below the plane, and the ten stamens at the center also curve downwards. HabitatOften found along trails through wooded areas of the west as well as in meadows and on hillsides. Found from the foothills to the subalpine zone. Plant LoreThe Pineywoods Geranium has been used for many purposes such as an astringent, a remedy for diarrhea and as a paste to heal open sores. Further ReadingBuchanan, Hayle 1992. Wildflowers of Southwestern Utah. Bryce Canyon Natural History Association. Bryce Canyon, Utah. Spellenberg, Richard. 2001. National Audubon Society's Field Guide to North American Wildflowers - Western Region. Knopf Inc. NY, NY. |
Last updated: April 30, 2023