Geranium pyrenaicum
Hedgerow geranium
(c) Robert Flogaus-Faust, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Geraniaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Geranium pyrenaicum (Hedgerow geranium) is a non-native California herb in the Geraniaceae family, recognized by tall stature and bright purple flowers.
Hedgerow geranium is a naturalized perennial herb found in the central Coast Ranges, specifically noted from a single collection on the UC Berkeley campus, growing in disturbed places, fields, and forest margins at elevations below 100 meters. Flowering from June to July, this plant produces bright purple flowers with petals 7 to 11 millimeters long that are distinctly notched at the tip. Growing with erect stems 15 to 110 centimeters tall covered in soft hairs, it develops a robust, upright habit. Its leaves are deeply divided into 5 to 7 wedge-shaped segments, with leaf blades 2.5 to 7.5 centimeters wide. The distinctive fruit develops a slender beak 10 to 15 millimeters long, with smooth mericarp segments that are minutely strigose.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 12 sympatric species; distinguished by tall stature and bright purple flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed places, field, forest margins
Elevation: < 100 m
Outside California: to eastern North America, native to Europe, northern Africa, western Asia
Bloom period
Geranium pyrenaicum blooms Jun-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 pyrenaicum native to California?
No. Geranium pyrenaicum is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Geranium pyrenaicum bloom?
Geranium pyrenaicum blooms Jun-Jul.
What plant family does Geranium pyrenaicum belong to?
Geranium pyrenaicum is in the Geraniaceae family, genus Geranium.
What habitat does Geranium pyrenaicum grow in?
Geranium pyrenaicum grows in Disturbed places, field, forest margins.
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.