Pelargonium vitifolium
Geranium
(c) James Rodger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by James Rodger · licence
Family: Geraniaceae · Type: Shrub · Not Native
Pelargonium vitifolium (Geranium) is a non-native California shrub in the Geraniaceae family, recognized by erect habit, heart-shaped leaves wider than long with flat margins.
Geranium is a naturalized shrub found in the northern and central California Coast bioregions in disturbed sites at elevations below 300 meters. Flowering from April to August, this plant produces light to rose-pink flowers approximately 15 to 18 millimeters wide in dense clusters of 3 to 12 blooms. Growing with erect soft-woody branches less than 1 meter tall, it develops a distinctive shrubby form. Its leaves are notable for being wider than long, heart-shaped, and 6 centimeters wide with 3 to 5 coarsely toothed lobes. The plant features soft hairs and branches that are more than 3 millimeters in diameter.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; key features are erect habit, heart-shaped leaves wider than long with flat margins
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed sites
Elevation: < 300 m
California counties: San Mateo, San Francisco, Sonoma, Mendocino
Outside California: native to southern Africa
Bloom period
Pelargonium vitifolium blooms Apr-Aug.
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 vitifolium native to California?
No. Pelargonium vitifolium is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Pelargonium vitifolium bloom?
Pelargonium vitifolium blooms Apr-Aug.
Where in California does Pelargonium vitifolium grow?
Pelargonium vitifolium occurs in San Mateo, San Francisco, Sonoma, Mendocino, at elevations of < 300 m.
What plant family does Pelargonium vitifolium belong to?
Pelargonium vitifolium is in the Geraniaceae family, genus Pelargonium.
What habitat does Pelargonium vitifolium grow in?
Pelargonium vitifolium grows in Disturbed sites.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Pelargonium zonale — Horseshoe geranium
- Pelargonium capitatum — Rose scented geranium
- Pelargonium grossularioides — Gooseberry geranium
- Pelargonium ×hortorum — Fish geranium
- Pelargonium inquinans — Scarlet geranium
- Pelargonium panduriforme — Oak-leaved geranium
- California macrophylla — Round-leaved filaree
- California sp. — California filaree
- Erodium botrys — Big heron bill
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.