About Geranium caespitosum E.James
Geranium caespitosum, commonly known as purple cluster geranium or pineywoods geranium, is a perennial herb species. It is native to the western United States and northern Mexico. In the United States, it occurs naturally in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming. This species produces purple to red flowers that have 5 stamens. Its sepals are acuminate, meaning they taper to a long pointed tip. Its leaves are palmately lobed. The fruit it forms is a schizocarp that consists of 5 individual mericarps. Its flowering season runs from May through September. Geranium caespitosum has fleshy roots that grow deep into the soil. It typically grows in damp soils, found growing in coniferous forest understories and in canyons. Multiple Indigenous groups use this species for various purposes. The Gosiute use it as an astringent, and prepare a decoction from its root to treat diarrhea. The Keres crush its roots into a paste to treat sores, and use the entire plant as food for turkeys. In cultivation, pineywoods geranium is grown in xeriscapes and native plant gardens, valued for its prominently displayed pink flowers.
