Description
Carolina geranium (Geranium carolinianum) is a winter annual or biennial weed that is also called cranesbill because the fruits have a conspicuous "beak" about 1⁄2 inch long. The leaves are deeply five- to seven-lobed and each lobe is again lobed and bluntly toothed. The flower is white to lavender and borne two to several together on stalks from the upper nodes. It blooms mostly in April and May.
Cultural Control
Proper turf management is important for biennial broadleaf weed control. Maintain a dense, actively growing turf through proper mowing, fertilizing, and watering practices. Mow at the proper height for your selected adapted turfgrass. Coring and traffic control reduce compaction and encourage desirable turfgrass competition. It is best to control this biennial broadleaf weed in spring or fall, if actively growing at these times.
Species Data
- GROWTH SEASON / LIFE CYCLE
- winter annual or biennial weed
- GROWTH HABIT
- LEAFLET NUMBER
- one
- LEAF MARGIN
- LEAF HAIRS
- none
- LEAF / LEAFLET SHAPE
- heart / kidney / spade
- LEAF WIDTH
- 1 inch to greater than 2 inches
- LEAF VENATION
- palmate
- LEAF ARRANGEMENT
- usually alternate near base, opposite above
Figure 11, Figure 12, Figure 13
- usually alternate near base, opposite above
- ROOT TYPE
- taproot
Figure 14
- taproot
- FLOWER COLOR
Figure 1. Carolina geranium growth habit.
Figure 2. Carolina geranium growth habit.
Figure 3. Carolina geranium growth habit.
Figure 4. Carolina geranium growth habit.
Figure 5. Carolina geranium leaf margin.
Figure 6. Carolina geranium leaf margin.
Figure 7. Carolina geranium leaf margin.
Figure 8. Carolina geranium leaf margin.
Figure 9. Carolina geranium flower color.
Figure 10. Carolina geranium flower color.
Figure 11. Carolina geranium leaf arrangement.
Figure 12. Carolina geranium leaf arrangement.
Figure 13. Carolina geranium leaf arrangement.
Figure 14. Carolina geranium root type.
Figure 15. Carolina geranium flower color.
Figure 16. Carolina geranium flower color.
Publication date: Nov. 21, 2017
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