Geranium californicum
California cranesbill
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Family: Geraniaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Geranium californicum (California cranesbill) is a native California herb in the Geraniaceae family, recognized by large flowers, long pedicels, and perennial habit.
California cranesbill is a California native perennial found in the Sierra Nevada, southern California, Transverse Ranges, Peninsular Ranges, and northern eastern Sierra Nevada in moist sites, streambanks, meadows, and woodland at elevations of 1,000 to 3,000 meters. Flowering from April to August, this plant produces white to rose flowers with lavender to purple veins, approximately 10 to 15 millimeters long with soft-hairy bases. Growing with ascending to erect stems 20 to 70 centimeters tall covered in soft hairs, it has a delicate, spreading form. Its leaves are deeply divided into 5 to 7 wedge-shaped segments, with blades 3 to 8 centimeters wide, creating an intricate, lacy appearance. The distinctive fruit features a narrow beak 21 to 23 millimeters long, ending in a 5 to 6 millimeter tip.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 9 sympatric species; distinguished by large flowers, long pedicels, and perennial habit
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist sites, streambanks, meadows, woodland
Elevation: 1000-3000 m
California counties: Fresno, Tuolumne, Ventura, San Bernardino, Riverside, Tulare, Mariposa, Los Angeles, El Dorado, Kern, Madera, San Diego, Mono, Alpine
Bloom period
Geranium californicum blooms Apr-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 californicum native to California?
Yes. Geranium californicum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Geranium californicum bloom?
Geranium californicum blooms Apr-Aug.
Where in California does Geranium californicum grow?
Geranium californicum occurs in Fresno, Tuolumne, Ventura, San Bernardino, Riverside, Tulare, Mariposa, Los Angeles and other counties, at elevations of 1000-3000 m.
What plant family does Geranium californicum belong to?
Geranium californicum is in the Geraniaceae family, genus Geranium.
What habitat does Geranium californicum grow in?
Geranium californicum grows in Moist sites, streambanks, meadows, woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.