Geranium rotundifolium
Round leaved geranium
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Family: Geraniaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Geranium rotundifolium (Round leaved geranium) is a non-native California herb in the Geraniaceae family, recognized by less deeply divided leaves and deeply pitted seeds.
Round leaved geranium is a naturalized annual found in central coastal California, southern coastal ranges, and southern California islands in open, disturbed sites at elevations below 200 meters. Flowering in May, this plant produces rose-purple flowers 6 to 7 millimeters long with rounded petals. Growing with ascending to erect stems 10 to 40 centimeters tall covered in rough, spreading hairs, it has a delicate branching structure. Its leaves are divided into 5 to 7 obtriangular segments, with blades 1.9 to 4.4 centimeters wide. The fruit develops as a smooth mericarp with a narrow 12 to 13 millimeter beak, bearing deeply pitted seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 14 sympatric species; distinguished by less deeply divided leaves and deeply pitted seeds
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open, disturbed sites
Elevation: < 200 m
California counties: San Francisco, Los Angeles, Monterey, Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Cruz, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Calaveras, Marin, San Benito
Outside California: to eastern North America, native to Europe, northern Africa, western Asia
Bloom period
Geranium rotundifolium blooms May.
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 rotundifolium native to California?
No. Geranium rotundifolium is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Geranium rotundifolium bloom?
Geranium rotundifolium blooms May.
Where in California does Geranium rotundifolium grow?
Geranium rotundifolium occurs in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Monterey, Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Cruz, San Diego, San Luis Obispo and other counties, at elevations of < 200 m.
What plant family does Geranium rotundifolium belong to?
Geranium rotundifolium is in the Geraniaceae family, genus Geranium.
What habitat does Geranium rotundifolium grow in?
Geranium rotundifolium grows in Open, disturbed sites.
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.