Geraniaceae: Geranium viscosissimum
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Family Name
Geraniaceae
Common Name
Sticky geranium
Description
Geranium viscosissimum is a perennial herb growing with 1 to a few branching stems that form clumps. The stems, 30-90 cm tall, generally have short, stiff hairs below and longer hairs toward the top near the flowers, with glands throughout, the foliage is sticky to the touch. The petiolate leaves are mostly basal, with flat stiff hairs and glands that exude the sticky substance. The blades are 5-10 cm wide, palmately lobed with 5-7 sharply toothed divisions. The few culm leaves are mostly opposite, nearly sessile and somewhat smaller than the basal leaves. The inflorescence consist of small clusters of two to several pedicellate flowers attached to axillary peduncles. The 5 sepals are 8-12 mm long, pointed with short hairs on the tips. The 5 petals are pink to purple, 14-20 mm long, with long hairs toward the base and darker stripes converging on the center. There are 10 fertile stamens and a 5-parted style. The fruit are capsules with glandular-stiff-hairs and are shaped like an upraised crane's bill. Sticky geranium blooms from May into August in open woods and along streambanks in western South Dakota.
Horticulture Notes
Seed collection: Seeds mature in late summer, turning brown and developing a twisted appendage. They are easy to identify and collect,
Germination: Fall sowing or a 60-day cold moist treatment before spring planting is recommended.
Light: Full sun to partial shade.
Soil: Best in dry to moist, well-drained loamy, sandy loam, clayey loam or even gravelly soil.
Water: Does best in moist conditions but is drought tolerant.
Additional Notes
Sticky geranium is a colorful addition to any native prairie garden. It produces flowers for much of the summer, especially if the developing fruit are removed. The flowers attract butterflies, bumblebees and a host of different small native bee species. The seeds attract small birds and mammals.