Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Rosopsida
Order: Geraniales
Family: Geraniaceae
Genus: Geranium
Species: G. molle
Binomial name: Geranium molle
Common name: Dovesfoot Cranesbill
Geranium molle is a small annual herbaceous plant reaching on average 5–30 centimetres in height. It is a much-branched plant, quite hairy, with several ascending stems.
The leaves are palmate, cut 5 to 9 times. The basal leaves are arranged in a rosette, the upper ones are sessile, rounded and hairy, with a long petiole of about 5–12 millimetres.
The flowers are pinkish-purple, 8-12 mm in diameter, with5 deeply notched petals. Stamens are whitish and the anthers are mauve. It blooms from September to February. The flowers are hermaphrodite and mainly pollinated by Hymenoptera (sawflies, wasps, bees and ants). Fruits are glabrous, usually with 6-9 transverse ridges.
It is native to the Mediterranean and sub-Mediterranean areas. It is an introduced species. It is a noxious weed and quickly forms a groundcover on open areas, among grasses, and in planting beds. It is found in dry fields, hedges, banks and waste places. It prefers sunny places on sandy and relatively dry soils, at an altitude of 0–1,000 metres above .sea level and is common throughout New Zealand.
New flower buds on their long stalks
The top surface of a leaf
The underside of a leaf.
Thanks to Wikipedia for text and information: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
