Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum)


Geranium maculatum

Frequently found in our woodlands, these are also called Cranesbills, because of the distinctive seedpods that look like the head of a long-billed bird.

Cransebill Seedpods

The “bill” is an ingenious spring-loaded mechanism that, when the pod dries, suddenly releases and flings the seeds into the air with amazing force.

Pair of Geranium flowers

The five-petaled flowers come in shades of pink ranging from lavender to deep rose.

Side view of the flowers
Photographed April 30 with a Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z6.

These plants were blooming in the Kane Woods Nature Area in Scott Township.

For a description of the species, see the Geranium maculatum reference page.


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