Geranium columbinum
Longstalk cranesbill
(c) Patrick Hacker, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Patrick Hacker · licence
Family: Geraniaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Geranium columbinum (Longstalk cranesbill) is a non-native California herb in the Geraniaceae family, recognized by very long pedicels and deeply divided leaves.
Longstalk cranesbill is a naturalized annual found in northern California coastal and northern California inner coastal valley and Sacramento Valley regions in open, disturbed sites at elevations below 450 meters. Flowering from May to September, this plant produces purple flowers with notched petals 8 to 10 millimeters long on long pedicels 20 to 60 millimeters in length. Growing with erect stems 10 to 60 centimeters tall covered in reflexed and appressed nonglandular hairs, it has a distinctive branching form. Its leaf blades are 3 to 5 centimeters wide, deeply divided into 5 to 7 rhombic segments that extend nearly to the base of the leaf. The fruit develops as a smooth mericarp with a narrow beak 18 to 19 millimeters long, featuring a distinctive bristly texture.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 8 sympatric species; distinguished by very long pedicels and deeply divided leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open, disturbed sites
Elevation: < 450 m
Outside California: to eastern North America, native to Europe, northern Africa, western Asia
Bloom period
Geranium columbinum blooms May-Sep.
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 columbinum native to California?
No. Geranium columbinum is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Geranium columbinum bloom?
Geranium columbinum blooms May-Sep.
What plant family does Geranium columbinum belong to?
Geranium columbinum is in the Geraniaceae family, genus Geranium.
What habitat does Geranium columbinum grow in?
Geranium columbinum grows in Open, disturbed sites.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.