Spotted geranium

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Spotted geranium

Spotted geranium leaf

Spotted geranium fruit

Spotted geranium

Spotted geranium

Spotted geranium

Spotted geranium flowers

Spotted geranium flower

Spotted geranium

Spotted geranium leaves

Spotted geranium

Morphology

Stem

Plants from knobby rhizomes. Stems erect, simple, retrorsely pubescent.

Leaves

Basal and cauline, simple, petiolate, 4 to 8.6 inches long, 3 to 5.5 inches wide; blade depressed-ovate to round in outline, margins deeply palmately divided into 5 to 7 segments, each segment coarsely toothed or cut.

Inflorescence

Cymes, 3-10-flowered.

Flower

Sepals 5, distinct, ovate to lanceolate-ovate, .28 to .48 inch, apex subulate; petals 5, distinct, lavender or rose-purple, obovate, .48 to .7 inch, apex truncate to obtuse; stamens 10; styles 5, fused below, forming stylar column .8 to 1.2 inch; stigmas 5.

Fruit

Schizocarps, fusiform, separating at maturity into 5 sections, carpel beak coiled outward when dry, 1 seed per carpel; seeds brown, ellipsoid to ovoid, .12 to .16 inch, spreading- or appressed-hirsute.

Ecology

Habitat

Moist, rich, maple-basswood and oak-hickory woods

Distribution

East 1/6 of Kansas

Practical Information

Uses

Spotted geranium was used by many eastern Native American tribes to treat a wide range of medical conditions including treatment of open wounds and canker sores. An infusion of roots was taken for diarrhea and toothaches and a decoction of roots for heart conditions and venereal disease.

Additional Notes