Pelargonium peltatum
Ivy geranium
(c) Nicola van Berkel, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Nicola van Berkel · licence
Family: Geraniaceae · Type: Subshrub · Not Native
Pelargonium peltatum (Ivy geranium) is a non-native California subshrub in the Geraniaceae family, recognized by peltate leaves and climbing habit with few-flowered inflorescences.
Ivy geranium is a naturalized shrub found in southern coastal California and the Channel Islands in disturbed sites at elevations below 300 meters. Flowering all year, this plant produces pink to rose flowers 15 to 20 millimeters long with distinctive peltate leaves. Growing with prostrate or climbing stems less than 2 meters long, it has a glabrous and somewhat fleshy appearance. Its unique leaves are peltate, 2 to 7 centimeters wide, typically with 5 entire lobes and acute tips, creating a distinctive leathery texture. The plant forms open clusters with 2 to 9 flowers, spreading easily in disturbed landscapes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; key features are peltate leaves and climbing habit with few-flowered inflorescences
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed sites
Elevation: < 300 m
Outside California: native to southern Africa
Bloom period
Pelargonium peltatum 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 peltatum native to California?
No. Pelargonium peltatum is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Pelargonium peltatum bloom?
Pelargonium peltatum blooms All year.
What plant family does Pelargonium peltatum belong to?
Pelargonium peltatum is in the Geraniaceae family, genus Pelargonium.
What habitat does Pelargonium peltatum grow in?
Pelargonium peltatum 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.