Geranium viscosissimum
Sticky geranium
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Family: Geraniaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Geranium viscosissimum (Sticky geranium) is a native California herb in the Geraniaceae family, recognized by large stature and very broad leaves.
Sticky geranium is a California native perennial found in eastern Klamath Range (Quartz Valley), Cascade Range, and northern Modoc Plateau in meadows, sagebrush scrub, and conifer forest at elevations of 1,000 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from April to September, this plant produces striking pink to red-purple flowers with red-purple veined petals that are 17 to 20 millimeters long and feature soft-hairy bases. Growing with erect stems 30 to 90 centimeters tall with sparse hairs, it forms robust clumps in open habitats. Its large leaf blades measure 7 to 16 centimeters wide, deeply divided into 5 to 9 rhombic segments that create an intricate, lacy appearance. The plant produces smooth mericarp fruits with a narrow 25 to 29 millimeter beak, giving it a distinctive seed-dispersal mechanism.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species; distinguished by large stature and very broad leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Meadows, openings in sagebrush scrub, conifer forest
Elevation: 1000-2500 m
California counties: Madera, Modoc, Lassen, Siskiyou, Fresno
Outside California: to British Columbia, Rocky Mountains
Bloom period
Geranium viscosissimum blooms Apr-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 viscosissimum native to California?
Yes. Geranium viscosissimum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Geranium viscosissimum bloom?
Geranium viscosissimum blooms Apr-Sep.
Where in California does Geranium viscosissimum grow?
Geranium viscosissimum occurs in Madera, Modoc, Lassen, Siskiyou, Fresno, at elevations of 1000-2500 m.
What plant family does Geranium viscosissimum belong to?
Geranium viscosissimum is in the Geraniaceae family, genus Geranium.
What habitat does Geranium viscosissimum grow in?
Geranium viscosissimum grows in Meadows, openings in sagebrush scrub, conifer forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Geranium yeoi
- Geranium aequale
- Geranium bicknellii — Bicknell's cranesbill
- Geranium californicum — California cranesbill
- Geranium carolinianum — Carolina geranium
- Geranium columbinum — Longstalk cranesbill
- Pelargonium capitatum — Rose scented geranium
- Pelargonium grossularioides — Gooseberry geranium
- Pelargonium ×hortorum — Fish geranium
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.