Geranium pusillum

jer-AY-nee-um pus-ILL-um

Synonyms of Geranium pusillum (25) (Updated on 4-30-24 from Plants of the World Online): Geranium baumgartenianum Schur (1866), Geranium circinatum Kanitz (1863), Geranium delicatulum Ten. & Guss. (1836), Geranium delicatulum Ten. & Guss. (1836), Geranium divaricatum var. tenuisectum Sennen (1917) (nom. nud.), Geranium dubium Chaix (1786), Geranium elatum Picard (1887), Geranium haussknechtii Soó (1980), Geranium humile Cav. (1787), Geranium hybridum Hausskn. (1891) (nom. illeg.), Geranium malvifolium Scop. (1771), Geranium parviflorum Curtis (1791) (nom. illeg.), Geranium parviflorum var. humile (Cav.) Chevall. (1828), Geranium pseudopusillum Schur (1868), Geranium pusillum var. albiflorum Schur (1877), Geranium pusillum var. axilliflorum Schur (1866), Geranium pusillum var. condensatum Druce (1917), Geranium pusillum var. elatum Picard (1837), Geranium pusillum var. gracillimum Schur (1877), Geranium pusillum var. humile (Cav.) Gray (1821 publ. 1822), Geranium pusillum var. humile Picard (1838) (nom. illeg.), Geranium pusillum var. majus-grandifolium Schur (1877), Geranium pusillum var. rigidum Schur (1877), Geranium pusillum var. tenuilobum Sennen (1928), Geranium pusillum var. viscidulifolium C.G.Westerl. (1898)

Geranium pusillum L. is the accepted scientific name for this species of Geranium. It was first named and described as such by Carl von Linnaeus in Systema Naturae in 1759.

The genus, Geranium Tourn. ex L.. was described by Carl von Linnaeus in the second volume of the first edition of Species Plantarum in 1753. The genus was named by Joseph Pitton de Tournefort.

As of 4-30-24, Plants of the World Online lists 362 species in the genus Geranium. It is a member of the plant family Geraniaceae with 7 genera. Those numbers could change as updates are made on POWO.

Distribution map of Geranium pusillum from Plants of the World Online. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published on the Internet; http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/. Retrieved on April 30, 2024.

The above distribution map for Geranium pusillum is from Plants of the World Online. Areas in green are where the species is native and purple is where it has been introduced. The map on the USDA Plants Database is a little different.

The map on iNaturalist shows where members have made observations. Anyone can join and it is a great website to confirm and share your observations. The maps on iNaturalist are continually updated as members post new observations. I post all my observations on iNaturalist.

THERE ARE SEVERAL LINKS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE FOR FURTHER READING AND TO HELP WITH A POSITIVE ID.

Geranium pusillum (Small-Flowered Cranesbill) on 4-27-24, #985-2.

My riding mower broke down again, so I had to have a friend mow my yard on April 22. I was walking around the area in front of the chicken house when I spotted a colony of what appeared to be a species of Geranium under one of the Chinese Elm trees. I took a closer look and the leaves looked different than the usual Geranium carolinianum (Carolina Cranesbill) that grows in the pasture and around the garden. I took photos and then added them to iNaturalist’s drag-and-drop feature for an ID. The suggestion was Geranium pusillum (Small-Flowered Cranesbill) so I checked out the species on the Missouri Plants website. I think they hit the nail on the head again…

Geranium pusillum (Small-Flowered Cranesbill) on 4-27-24, #985-3.

When I have time, I will add proper descriptions for this species. For now, you can check out the links below.

Geranium pusillum (Small-Flowered Cranesbill) on 4-27-24, #985-4.

Geranium pusillum (Small-Flowered Cranesbill) on 4-27-24, #985-5.

Geranium pusillum (Small-Flowered Cranesbill) on 4-27-24, #985-6.

I live on the family farm in Windsor, Missouri in Pettis County (Henry County is across the street, and Benton and Johnson aren’t far away). I have grown over 500 different plants and identified over 250 species of wildflowers (most have pages listed on the right side of the page). I am not an expert, botanist, or horticulturalist. I just like growing, photographing, and writing about my experience. I rely on several websites for ID and a few horticulturalists I contact if I cannot figure them out. Wildflowers can be variable from location to location, so that can be a bit confusing. If you see I have made an error, please let me know so I can correct what I have written.

I hope you found this page useful and be sure to check the links below for more information. They were written by experts and they have provided much more information. Some sites may not be up-to-date but they are always a work in progress. If you can, I would appreciate it if you would click on the “Like” below and leave a comment. It helps us bloggers stay motivated. You can also send an email to me at thebelmontrooster@yahoo.com. I would enjoy hearing from you especially if you notice something is a bit whacky.