Geranium aequale
(c) Wolfgang Jauch, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Wolfgang Jauch · licence
Family: Geraniaceae · Type: Annual · Not Native
Geranium aequale is a non-native California annual in the Geraniaceae family, recognized by smooth capsules and small petals.
Geranium aequale is a naturalized annual found in southern San Diego County in open to shaded disturbed ground at elevations below 200 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces red-purple petals in delicate flowers about 4 millimeters long with notched petals. Growing with decumbent to erect stems 10 to 40 centimeters tall and sparse soft hairs, it has a distinctively divided leaf blade 1.5 to 5.8 centimeters wide with 7 to 9 obtriangular segments. Its leaves are deeply cut, dividing approximately 60 to 75 percent toward the base, creating an intricate, lacy green appearance. The fruit develops a narrow beak 7 to 10.5 millimeters long with a small tip, giving the plant a distinctive seed-dispersal mechanism.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; distinguished by smooth capsules and small petals
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open to shaded sites, disturbed ground
Elevation: < 200 m
Outside California: widespread America, New Zealand, native to Europe
Bloom period
Geranium aequale blooms May-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Erodium: Geranium leaves are palmately divided like spread fingers; Erodium leaves are pinnately divided like a feather.; vs Pelargonium: Geranium is herbaceous with symmetrical flowers; Pelargonium is shrubby with asymmetrical flowers.; vs Sidalcea: Geranium has deeply palm-divided leaves; Sidalcea has shallowly palmately-lobed leaves and stamens fused in a column.; vs Bowlesia: Geranium has deeply divided leaves and pink flowers; Bowlesia has shallowly lobed leaves and tiny white umbel flowers.; vs Malva: Geranium has deeply palm-divided leaves with narrow segments; Malva has shallowly palmately-lobed leaves and fused stamens.
Frequently asked questions
Is Geranium aequale native to California?
No. Geranium aequale is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Geranium aequale bloom?
Geranium aequale blooms May-Aug.
What plant family does Geranium aequale belong to?
Geranium aequale is in the Geraniaceae family, genus Geranium.
What habitat does Geranium aequale grow in?
Geranium aequale grows in Open to shaded sites, disturbed ground.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.