Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Geranium californicum is a species of Geranium known by the common name California cranesbill. It is endemic to California, where it grows in the Sierra Nevada and coastal ranges in the southern part of the state. This is a perennial herb topping half a meter in maximum height. Its thin, hairy stems have many wide, palmate leaves divided into several segments which are subdivided into small lobes. Flowers appear singly or in pairs on small stalks. Each has five pointed sepals beneath five rounded to oval-shaped petals which may have slight notches in the ends. The petals are up to 1.5 centimeters long and white to pale pink or lavender with deeper lavender veining.

Plant type

Perennial herb

Size

1 - 2 ft Tall

Calscape icon
Color

Purple, Pink, White

Flowering season

Spring, Summer

Special uses

Deer resistant

Sun

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Water

Moderate

Site type

Moist places

Plant communities

Lodgepole Forest, Red Fir Forest, Yellow Pine Forest, Wetland-Riparian

Birds
Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 14 likely

Confirmed Likely

Common Gray

Anavitrinella pampinaria

Painted Tiger Moth

Arachnis picta

Orange Tortrix Moth

Argyrotaenia franciscana

Tobacco Budworm Moth

Chloridea virescens