Geranium - probably introduced (*Geranium species 5)

Family: Geraniaceae (Geranium family).

Country of origin not known. This geranium has only been found growing in weedy locations, and has not been recorded in more or less intact bushland, so it is presumed to be introduced. A search of overseas sources has not found a match. As yet, it has not been formally named, and so is referred to as Species 5, one of a group geraniums without a formal scientific name.

Occurrence: Locally abundant. Nature strips, weedy grassland.

Identification:

• the plant can form dense clumps (compared to the native geraniums which are straggling plants, never forming dense mats)
• the leaves and stems are semi-succulent
• the stems are hairy with fine, backwards-pointing hairs
• the flowers are pale.

As with other members of the geranium family, the fruit are beaked.