Geranium richardsonii

A pale wild geranium captured in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming. Thanks to WildFlower for the identification!

comments (4)

WildFlower

Lion

Hi, Travis, I was almost about to give up on this one when I saw a pink Geranium. Considering the geotag, I guess it could be a pale form of Geranium maculatum, native to Wisconsin, often called wild geranium. Please check if the leaves match as well. Having to identify a plant from a flower close-up is much harder and time consuming and the leaves and habit of the plant are very important. I don't mind helping out with the identification of wildflowers, but I need to see more of them.
http://wimastergardener.org/?q=Geranium_maculatum
Here's another site for US wildflowers.
http://uswildflowers.com/wflist.php Posted 11 years ago
1. travismorhardt
  
  Lion
  
  Yes, you are exactly right, the entire plant and habitat in which it is found is crucial. Now the known range of the wild geranium ranges as far west as the Dakotas; this specimen was captured in western Wyoming, a total distance of approximately 800 miles or so. But after comparing it with other captures I have of it with the leaves present, I would say that this is exactly what it is, just a pale form as you mentioned... Posted 11 years ago
2. 1. WildFlower
    
    Lion
    
    Now that you mention it, it is not present in the Wyoming Plant Species list.
    http://www.wy.blm.gov/botany/species/wyflora-g.htm
    It could be another similar species so you need to look for some specific characteristics. Posted 11 years ago
  2. 1. travismorhardt
      
      Lion
      
      OK, thank you for the list! I think this is the right one. It bears the closest resemblance from the list, and is also known from the area. Posted 11 years ago

The Richardson's geranium

''Geranium richardsonii'' is a species of geranium known by the common name Richardson's geranium. It is native to western North America from Alaska to New Mexico, where it can be found in a number of habitats, especially mountains and forests. This is a perennial herb varying in maximum height from 20 to 80 centimeters. The plant grows from a tough, woody taproot and older plants develop rhizomes. The leaves are up to 15 centimeters wide and are divided into generally five segments, each segment.. more

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Similar species: Geraniales

Species identified by travismorhardt