Geranium inundatum

Naked Crane's-bill

Spreading, almost hairless perennial herb with thick, tapering to branched taproot.

SynonymGeranium sp. 5, misidentified as Geranium retrorsum
FamilyGeraniaceae
StoreyLower storey
Sizeprostrate x to 1 m
Plant groupingHerbs & Groundcovers <1m
LeavesRound to kidney shaped leaves to 4 cm long, deeply dissected into 5-7 lobes which are forked 2-3 times and further dissected. Lobes broad or narrow, often toothed, tips pointed or square. Few short curved hairs may be present on upper surface.
Flower colourPink to bright pink
Flowering timeOctober to March
FlowersSingle or paired flowers, to 7 mm wide, on stalks 1-4.5 cm long, anthers mauve to lemon with purple lines. Sepals egg-shaped-shaped, pointed, hairy with narrow translucent margin. Beaked fruit to 16 mm long.
Bird attractingNo
Butterfly attractingNo
Frog habitatNo
Growing conditionsMoist to seasonally flooded sites in disturbed areas on floodplains. Full sun, semi shade.
Garden useEasily grown as a groundcover in moist areas. The flower is brighter than many local geraniums.
Commercially availableNever
Conservation statusSignificant within the Shire. Known from very few local sites.
Aboriginal Use Food - taproot roasted
Related speciesIt is uncertain whether this species is definitely indigenous to Australia, although it is believed that it probably is.