Geranium pusillum is most similar to geranium molle, differing in the shorter hairs on stem and stalk, and by having only five fertile stamens rather than ten.
Common name:
Small-flowered cranesbill
Family:
Scientific name:
Geranium pusillum
Main flower color:
Range:
Lowland regions of the UK, especially in central and south England
Height:
Up to 30 cm
Habitat:
Grassland, often exposed, arid locations
Flowers:
Around 6 mm across; five notched pink petals, often asymmetrically positioned, and five oblong sepals (unkeeled), with a covering of short, spreading hairs. At the centre are five stigmas and ten stamens, of which only five are fertile, topped by blue anthers. Stalks, and stems are finely short-hairy
Leaves:
Hairy, approximately round in outline, deeply divided (up to 3/4) into five, seven or nine lobes, themselves divided, more shallowly
Season:
May to September
Rarity:
★★★★★