Geranium microphyllum
Biostatus
Native – Endemic taxon
Category
Vascular
Structural class
Herbs - Dicotyledons other than Composites
Flower colours
White
Detailed description
Perennial herb arising from a stout, thick somewhat woody taproot. All parts covered in soft backward or forward projecting appressed hairs. Stems slender, prostrate, with few to many branches. Basal leaves not persistent for duration of growing season, Leaf stalks (petioles) up to 17 cm long. Lamina 4 cm diameter, kidney-shaped to circular or broadly ovate, deeply lobed, almost to midrib, sometimes more shallowly divided. Lobes 3–5, narrow to broadly obovate or oblong, apex rounded or shortly spine-tipped (mucronate). Stem leaves smaller, with fewer lobes. Flower stalks (peduncles) 1–6–(9) cm long. Flowers 1–2. Sepals 3–5–(6) × 0.8–2–(2.5) mm, lanceolate or elliptic-oblong, purple or with a purple marginal line. Petals white, (4)–6–(9) × 2.5–4.5 mm, broadly obovate. Seed 1.5–1.9 mm long, oblong.
Similar taxa
Geranium microphyllum s.s. is the only Geranium species found on the Subantarctic islands, so it is unlikely to be confused with any other species in the field. Other mainland plants referred to this species are believed to be examples of one or more distinct, and possibly unnamed species (B.P.J. Molloy pers. comm.).
Distribution
Endemic to the Auckland Islands and Campbell Island/Motu Ihupuku.
Habitat
A species of sub Antarctic herbfields and turfs.
Current conservation status
The conservation status of all known New Zealand vascular plant taxa at the rank of species and below were reassessed in 2022-2023 using the New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS) – more information about this can be found on the NZTCS website. This report includes replaces all previous NZTCS lists for vascular plants. Previous assessments can be found here.
Please note, threat classifications are often suggested by authors when publications fall between NZTCS assessment periods – these interim threat classification statuses has not been assessed by the NZTCS panel.
- Conservation status of vascular plants in Aotearoa New Zealand, 2023. 2024. Peter J. de Lange, Jane Gosden, Shannel P. Courtney, Alexander J. Fergus, John W. Barkla, Sarah M. Beadel, Paul D. Champion, Rowan Hindmarsh-Walls, Troy Makan and Pascale Michel Department of Conservation. Source: NZTCS and licensed by DOC for reuse under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence.
2023 | At Risk – Naturally Uncommon | Qualifiers: RR
Threats
Geranium microphyllum s.s. is only known from the sub Antarctic islands. It is rarely collected.
Detailed taxonomy
Family
Geraniaceae
Synonyms
None.
Endemic taxon
Yes
Endemic genus
No
Endemic family
No
Ecology
Flowering
October–February
Fruiting
No information available
Life cycle and dispersal
Seed dispersed by wind, ballistic projection and possibly attachment (Thorsen et al., 2009).
Propagation technique
Easily grown from seed. Plants are short-lived but readily set seed.
Wetland plant indicator status rating
Information derived from the revised national wetland plant list prepared to assist councils in delineating and monitoring wetlands (Clarkson et al., 2021 Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research Contract Report LC3975 for Hawke’s Bay Regional Council). The national plant list categorises plants by the extent to which they are found in wetlands and not ‘drylands’. The indicator status ratings are OBL (obligate wetland), FACW (facultative wetland), FAC (facultative), FACU (facultative upland), and UPL (obligate upland). If you have suggestions for the Wetland Indicator Status Rating, please contact: [Enable JavaScript to view protected content]
FACU: Facultative Upland
Occasionally is a hydrophyte but usually occurs in uplands (non-wetlands).
Other information
Where To Buy
Not commercially available.
Etymology
geranium: From the Greek geranos ‘crane’, the fruit of the plant resembling the head and beak of this bird, hence the common name cranesbill.
microphyllum: Small leaf
NVS code
The National Vegetation Survey (NVS) Databank is a physical archive and electronic databank containing records of over 94,000 vegetation survey plots - including data from over 19,000 permanent plots. NVS maintains a standard set of species code abbreviations that correspond to standard scientific plant names from the Ngä Tipu o Aotearoa - New Zealand Plants database.
GERMIC
Chromosome number
2n = 52-56
Previous conservation statuses
2017 | At Risk – Naturally Uncommon | Qualifiers: RR
2012 | At Risk – Naturally Uncommon | Qualifiers: RR
2009 | At Risk – Naturally Uncommon
2004 | Data Deficient
Referencing and citations
References and further reading
Thorsen MJ, Dickinson KJM, Seddon PJ. 2009. Seed dispersal systems in the New Zealand flora. Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics 11: 285–309.
Attribution
Fact sheet prepared by P.J. de Lange for NZPCN (1 June 2013)
NZPCN Fact Sheet citation
Please cite as: de Lange, P.J. (Year at time of access): Geranium microphyllum Fact Sheet (content continuously updated). New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/geranium-microphyllum/ (Date website was queried)