New Zealand Geranium

Geranium retrorsum VHer.; DC. Prodr. 1: 644. 1824
Geranium pilosum Forst. f.; DC. Prodr. 1 : 642. 1824. Not G. pilosum Cav. 1788.
Perennial, by a large tap-root, the caudex branched. Stems 1-6 dm. long, ultimately branched, more or less retrorse-hirsute ; leaf-blades 1.5-4 cm. wide, finely hirsute, 3-5parted, the divisions mainly cleft or incised, the ultimate segments linear to lanceolate or ovate ; pedicels pubescent with retrorse mostly appressed hairs ; sepals awn-tipped, the outer ones 5.5-6 mm. long, the bodies ovate to ovate-lanceolate, commonly 5-ribbed, finely hirsute ; petals purple, 6-9 mm. long, deeply notched at the apex ; style-column 9-11 mm. long, minutely pubescent ; carpel-bodies about 3 mm. long, finely hirsute ; seeds minutely reticulate.
Type locality : New Zealand.
Distribution : California. Naturalized from Australasia.

Geranium retrorsum is a species of Geranium known by the common name New Zealand geranium in the United States and common cranesbill in Australia. It is native to Australia but can be found on other continents as an introduced species which is often a noxious weed as well. This is a perennial herb growing generally erect to a maximum height approaching half a meter. The stems are green to reddish and have stiff hairs. The leaves are a few centimeters wide and divided into several segments which are further divided into small lobes. The small flowers are fuchsia to purple in color. The fruit has a straight style about a centimeter in length.