Carolina Geranium

Geranium carolinianum

 

Broadleaf winter annual. Wild geranium, also called Carolina geranium, is a semi-erect winter annual. The erect stems are branching and covered with hair. The alternate leaves are on long petioles and are divided into segmented leaflets which are blunt toothed. The flowers have 5 white to pink petals and form in clusters. The seed forms in a fruit capsule that forms a "storks bill".

Individual wild geranium plants can be removed by pulling or digging. Removal should be performed prior to flower and seed formation. Handpulling is easy and effective. Maintain a dense, healthy lawn that crowds out weeds naturally and reduces the chances for invasion. Apply three inch layer of mulch to ornamental beds.