Wild GeraniumGeranium maculatum
Native, erect perennial forb. Suited to be a good groundcover under the tree canopy, a spring bloomer of shady deciduous woodlands and woodland gardens. Best in shady areas of wild, native plant or open woodland gardens. Best in shady areas of wild, native plant or open woodland gardens. This species is excellent for garden borders, woodland restorations and massing. This species appears to be dependent on undisturbed stands of mesic, open forests. It is not usually found on disturbed sites and is not noted for rapid colonization. It appears to be sensitive to acidification of soils.
USDA symbol: GEMA
General Information
| Plant Type | Forb |
|---|---|
| Height | 1 to 2 feet |
| Light Exposure | Sun, Part Sun |
| Soil Moisture | Dry, Medium |
| Bloom Color | Purple |
Tolerances
| Flooding / Inundation Tolerance | Low |
|---|---|
| General Resilience | 8 |
| Salt Tolerance | Low |
| Stress Tolerance | General Disturbance |
Pollinator Value: Very High
| Bloom Months | May to June |
|---|---|
| Larval Host of | Bees, Moths |
| Specific Pollinators Hosted | Andrena distans, Orgyia leucostigma, Parectopa geraniella |
| Pollinator Benefit | Insect Pollinated, Provides Nectar, Supports Generalists |
Project Planning
| Project Type | Boulevard, Erosion Control, Rain Garden, Restoration, Shoreline Buffer |
|---|---|
| Coefficient of Conservatism | 6 |
| Herbivore Sensitivity | Medium |
| Lifespan | Perennial |
| Rate of Spread | Slow |
| Soil Stabilization | Shallow |
| Vegetative Reproduction | Clonal |
Range
| County | Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Blue Earth, Carver, Cass, Chisago, Clay, Clearwater, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Hennepin, Houston, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Kandiyohi, Le Sueur, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pine, Pipestone, Pope, Ramsey, Rice, Sherburne, Sibley, St. Louis, Stearns, Steele, Todd, Wabasha, Wadena, Waseca, Washington, Winona, Wright |
|---|---|
| Ecoregion | Driftless Area, Lake Agassiz Plain, North Central Hardwood Forests, Northern Glaciated Plains, Northern Lakes and Forests, Northern Minnesota Wetlands, Western Cornbelt Plains |
| Approximate Eco Province | Eastern Broadleaf Forest, Laurentian Mixed Forest, Prairie Parkland, Tallgrass Aspen Parklands |