Geranium oreganum
Oregon geranium
(c) Ed Alverson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Geraniaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Geranium oreganum (Oregon geranium) is a native California herb in the Geraniaceae family, recognized by large size, broad leaves, and large flowers.
Oregon geranium is a California native perennial found in northern coastal, Klamath Ranges, northern coastal ranges, and high Cascade Range regions in moist, generally shaded sites like meadows and forests at elevations of 250 to 800 meters. Flowering from March to July, this plant produces red-purple flowers 12 to 21 millimeters long with rounded or slightly notched petals. Growing with erect stems 15 to 80 centimeters tall covered in soft hairs, it develops a distinctive growth habit. Its leaves are deeply divided into seven rhombic segments, with leaf blades 7 to 14 centimeters wide, creating an intricate and delicate foliage structure. The fruit develops as a smooth mericarp with a narrow beak 2.7 to 4.4 centimeters long, characteristic of the geranium family.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species; distinguished by large size, broad leaves, and large flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist, generally shaded sites, meadows, forest
Elevation: 250-800 m
California counties: Mariposa, Humboldt, Modoc, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Siskiyou, Mendocino, Trinity, Tuolumne, Lassen
Outside California: to Washington
Bloom period
Geranium oreganum blooms Mar-Jul.
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 oreganum native to California?
Yes. Geranium oreganum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Geranium oreganum bloom?
Geranium oreganum blooms Mar-Jul.
Where in California does Geranium oreganum grow?
Geranium oreganum occurs in Mariposa, Humboldt, Modoc, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Siskiyou, Mendocino, Trinity and other counties, at elevations of 250-800 m.
What plant family does Geranium oreganum belong to?
Geranium oreganum is in the Geraniaceae family, genus Geranium.
What habitat does Geranium oreganum grow in?
Geranium oreganum grows in Moist, generally shaded sites, meadows, forest.
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.