Geraniaceae

Geraniaceae

The genera in this account are traditionally circumscribed, i.e. in a narrow sense. According to some authors (e.g. Kubitzki 1997) Geranium includes Erodium, Monsonia and Pelargonium. This is not (yet) unequivocally confirmed by molecular data.

Additional useful and up-to-date information on the Geraniaceae family (including further links and references) is available at The Geraniaceae Group (http://www.geraniaceae-group.org/index.html)

1       Flowers strongly zygomorphic (petals unequal: the two upper petals much wider). Upper sepal with a minute spur that is tightly appressed to the pedicel === Pelargonium

         Flowers actinomorphic (all petals +/- identical). Upper sepal without a spur === 2

2       Leaves pinnate, pinnately lobed or ternate. Stamens always 5, alternating with 5 staminodes. Beak of mericarp at maturity strongly spiralled from apex downwards === Erodium

         Leaves palmate or palmately lobed. Stamens mostly 10 (only 5 in G. pusillum). Beak of mericarp at maturity curved from base upwards === Geranium

Additional aliens: Monsonia angustifolia E. Mey. ex A. Rich. (syn.: M. biflora auct. non DC.) (Afr., wool alien) and M. brevirostrata R. Knuth (Afr., wool alien). See also Lawalrée (1964, 1980).

Literature:

Kubitzki K. (ed.) (1997) The families and genera of vascular plants IX. Flowering plants. Eudicots. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, pp. 157-167.

Lawalrée A (1964) Geraniaceae. In: Robyns W. (ed.), Flore Générale de Belgique, vol. 4, fasc. 3. Jardin Botanique de l’Etat, Bruxelles: 239-286.

Lawalrée A. (1980) Note sur les Monsonia (Geraniaceae) adventices en Belgique. Dumortiera 14-15: 60-61.