dovefoot geranium
Family
GeraniaceaeScientific Name
Geranium molle
Habit
Dovefoot geranium are usually found growing in pastures, turf, or disturbed sites. Seeds germinate in fall and spring and grow through the winter to bloom in early summer. Flowering occurs from April until July. Above-ground foliage dies back during late summer. Plants may act as biennials and are often found growing from a taproot.
Leaves
Leaves are rounded and hairy on both surfaces. Leaf clefts or lobes are rounded and shallow giving the leaf an overall round shape. Leaves are born on long petioles. Leaves form a basal rosette when plants are young.
Identifying Characteristics
Dovefoot geranium is similar to smallflower geranium except that the carpel body of dovefoot geranium is smooth and that of smallflower geranium has very short hairs. Carolina geranium and dissected geranium differ in that their leaves are deeply dissected, sepals have long awn-like tips, and carpels are covered in hair (gland-tipped in dissected geranium).
Flower Seed Head
Flowers are produced in clusters of one or two where stems terminate. Flowers are pale pink and sepals have a sharp point but lack the longer awn-like tip of Carolina geranium and dissected geranium. The carpel body is hairless.
Seed Fruit
Fruit have long beaks and the carpel body is smooth. Seeds are smooth.
Where Found
A weed of lawns and pastures, dovefoot geranium can be found in mountains and piedmont areas.
Growth Habit
prostrate and nonwoody
Thorns or Spines
not present
Approximate Flower Diameter
pencil
Dominant Flower Color
pink
Flower Symmetry
radial symmetery
Leaf Hairs
has hairs
Leaf Margin
lobed
Leaf Stalk
longer than leaf
Stem Hairs
Varies:
has hairs,
no hairs
Stem Cross Section
round or oval
Milky Sap
not present
Root Structure
taproot
Life Cycle
winter annual
Ochrea
not present
Plant Type
Herb