Geranium robertianum L.

Annual or biennial hairy taprooted herb, with a characteristic scent. Stems decumbent to spreading, to c. 50 cm long, lax, often red where exposed to strong light, sometimes with base thickened; internodes short and lvs rosette-like. Petioles long and slender on lower lvs, often reddish, glabrous or hairy. Lamina palmate, to c. 9 × 10 cm, broad- or triangular-ovate, usually becoming red with age; lobes 3–5, at least the terminal petiolulate, pinnately divided to varying degrees, ± appressed-hairy; ultimate segments usually mucronulate. Infl. very diffuse; fls paired; peduncles usually > pedicels; peduncles and pedicels with long- and short-stalked glands. Sepals (at anthesis) 6.5–8 mm long including apical awn, ovate, prominently 3-nerved, with hairs as on pedicels. Petals (7.5)–10–11.5 mm long, obovate-oblanceolate, pink or rose except for white margin of claw; limb = claw; apex rounded. Filaments pinkish; anthers orange. Mericarps 2.5–3 mm long, glabrous or hairy, with 4–6 transverse ridges. Seed smooth.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

Flowering: Sep.–May.