Pelargonium panduriforme
Oak-leaved geranium, Oak-Leaved Geranium
(c) Tony Rebelo, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Geraniaceae · Type: Shrub · Not Native
Pelargonium panduriforme (Oak-leaved geranium) is a non-native California shrub in the Geraniaceae family, recognized by deeply divided oak-like leaves and large bilateral flowers.
Oak-leaved geranium is a naturalized shrub found in the central and southern California coastal regions in disturbed sites at elevations below 300 meters. Flowering essentially year-round, this plant produces pink flowers 30 to 40 millimeters wide with delicate bilateral symmetry. Growing over one meter tall with multiple branching stems, it develops a complex structure with extensive lateral growth. Its leaves are distinctive, typically 12 centimeters long and pinnately divided nearly to the midrib, with 3 to 7 unequal serrated divisions that are soft and occasionally slightly sticky. The plant bears flower clusters containing 3 to 10 individual blooms, creating an open and somewhat loose inflorescence.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; key features are deeply divided oak-like leaves and large bilateral flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed sites
Elevation: < 300 m
Outside California: native to southern Africa
Bloom period
Pelargonium panduriforme blooms +- all year.
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 panduriforme native to California?
No. Pelargonium panduriforme is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Pelargonium panduriforme bloom?
Pelargonium panduriforme blooms +- all year.
What plant family does Pelargonium panduriforme belong to?
Pelargonium panduriforme is in the Geraniaceae family, genus Pelargonium.
What habitat does Pelargonium panduriforme grow in?
Pelargonium panduriforme grows in Disturbed 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.