About Geranium brevicaule Hook.
Geranium brevicaule Hook. is a perennial vascular plant with a low-lying growth form and short stems, which is reflected in its species epithet brevicaule, meaning short-stemmed. Its flowers can be red, pink, or white. In New Zealand, it can be easily distinguished from other native and naturalized Geranium species by its small, compact growth habit, stout taproot, persistent basal leaves, very short flowering stems that are mostly shorter than the basal leaves, and smooth seeds. This species occurs on the main New Zealand islands south of Auckland, as well as Stewart Island. It is also found in southeast Australia and Tasmania. Its habitat ranges from coastal areas to subalpine zones up to around 1200 m in elevation, growing on open ground, in tussock grassland, in penalpine areas, and near water in rocky sites and river flats. The species flowers and bears fruit year-round. Its seeds are dispersed by wind, not through consumption by animals. Geranium brevicaule may not easily recolonize areas disturbed by wombats after such disturbance events.
