Pelargonium capitatum
Rose scented geranium
(c) Diana Studer, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Diana Studer · licence
Family: Geraniaceae · Type: Subshrub · Not Native
Pelargonium capitatum (Rose scented geranium) is a non-native California subshrub in the Geraniaceae family, recognized by prostrate habit, heart-shaped leaves wider than long, and curled leaf margins.
Rose scented geranium is a naturalized shrub found in the central California coast near Dillon Beach in Marin County, growing in disturbed or sandy sites at elevations below 300 meters. Flowering from September to January, this plant produces rose- to purple-pink flowers 16 to 20 millimeters wide in dense clusters of 8 to 20 blooms. Growing as a prostrate to sprawling shrub up to 1 meter tall with soft-woody branches, it has dense soft hairs throughout its structure. Its distinctive leaves are wider than long, heart-shaped, and deeply 3 to 5-lobed with coarsely and irregularly toothed edges, with the lower leaf margins distinctively curled. The soft, spreadng branches and uniquely shaped leaves give this geranium a charming, informal growth habit.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; key features are prostrate habit, heart-shaped leaves wider than long, and curled leaf margins
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed or sandy sites
Elevation: < 300 m
Outside California: native to southern Africa
Bloom period
Pelargonium capitatum blooms Nov, probably other times in California, +- Sep-Jan in southern Africa.
How to tell it apart
vs Geranium: Pelargonium is a shrub with asymmetrical flowers; Geranium is herbaceous with symmetrical flowers.; vs Malva: Pelargonium has asymmetrical flowers with 1-7 stamens; Malva has symmetrical flowers with many stamens fused in a column.; vs Impatiens: Pelargonium has no backward spur on flowers; Impatiens has a prominent curved spur.; vs Kalanchoe: Pelargonium has lobed leaves and spirally-coiled fruit beaks; Kalanchoe has succulent leaves and upright capsules.; vs Oxalis: Pelargonium has lobed leaves and asymmetrical flowers; Oxalis has clover-like compound leaves with symmetrical flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pelargonium capitatum native to California?
No. Pelargonium capitatum is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Pelargonium capitatum bloom?
Pelargonium capitatum blooms Nov, probably other times in California, +- Sep-Jan in southern Africa.
What plant family does Pelargonium capitatum belong to?
Pelargonium capitatum is in the Geraniaceae family, genus Pelargonium.
What habitat does Pelargonium capitatum grow in?
Pelargonium capitatum grows in Disturbed or sandy sites.
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.