Geranium molle
Crane's bill geranium
(c) Kostas Zontanos, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Kostas Zontanos · licence
Family: Geraniaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Geranium molle (Crane's bill geranium) is a non-native California herb in the Geraniaceae family, recognized by transversely wrinkled capsules.
Crane's bill geranium is a naturalized annual found in California Floristic Province in open to shaded sites at elevations below 500 meters. Flowering from February to August, this plant produces red-purple flowers 3 to 10.5 millimeters long with notched petals. Growing with decumbent to erect stems 10 to 45 centimeters tall that have sparse, soft hairs, it spreads across disturbed ground. Its leaves are divided nearly to the base with 7 to 9 obtriangular segments, each leaf blade 9 to 52 millimeters wide. The distinctive fruit has a narrow beak 6 to 11 millimeters long with a small tip.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 20 sympatric species; distinguished by transversely wrinkled capsules
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open to shaded sites, disturbed ground
Elevation: < 500 m
California counties: San Luis Obispo, Kern, Los Angeles, Ventura, Marin, Mendocino, San Bernardino, Monterey, Fresno, Santa Clara, San Francisco, Solano, Humboldt, Napa, Tehama, Butte, El Dorado, Placer, Tulare, Alameda, San Benito, Santa Cruz, Amador, Calaveras, Nevada, Sacramento, Lake, Yolo, Contra Costa, Sonoma, Sutter, Glenn, Mariposa, Del Norte, Santa Barbara, Trinity, San Mateo, Yuba, Colusa
Outside California: widespread North America, native to Europe, northern Africa, western Asia, alien in South America, southern Africa, Australia, New Zealand
Bloom period
Geranium molle blooms Feb-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 molle native to California?
No. Geranium molle is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Geranium molle bloom?
Geranium molle blooms Feb-Aug.
Where in California does Geranium molle grow?
Geranium molle occurs in San Luis Obispo, Kern, Los Angeles, Ventura, Marin, Mendocino, San Bernardino, Monterey and other counties, at elevations of < 500 m.
What plant family does Geranium molle belong to?
Geranium molle is in the Geraniaceae family, genus Geranium.
What habitat does Geranium molle grow in?
Geranium molle grows in Open to shaded sites, disturbed ground.
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.