Discussion

Geranium

Note that blossoms in Pelargonium genus species have two upper petals and three lower petals. The upper petals typically have markings like those above. Blossoms have both male and female sex organs. There are from 2 to 7 pollen producing stamens (the yellowish things in the center of the blossom) and a central pistil topped with five stigmata (the female receptive surfaces). Colors vary between pink, red, salmon, white, orange, mauve, and deep purple. The blossoms can range from single-flowered and pansy-like to large, ruffled, azalea-like, or double-flowered/rosette shapes.

The other kind of geranium is a genus named Geranium that is comprised of between 400 to 430 species. An example is this Geranium maculatum 'Dark Roast' species shown below. These species have five very similar petals.

Geranium genus species features include a calyx made of 5 green sepals (not visible in this photo), 10 stamens, and a central ovary. Most Geranium species have organs for both sexes, but not all. They can self-pollinate, but generally, that is made difficult by the male and female parts maturing at different times.

The overlap in names—the Geranium genus name versus the geranium common name for species in the Pelargonium genus—came about because when originally identified in the 18th century, they were all lumped together in one genus, Geranium.

With as many Geranium species as there are, there is some variety in their appearance. The blossom below is from Geranium nodosum.

Geranium genus leaves come in a variety of shapes depending on the species. One example is the Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum) which has leaves which are deeply divided with toothed lobes.

Here are more leaf shapes, though it is uncertain whether they belong to the Geranium genus or the Pelargonium genus.