Geranium retrorsum
Common names
turnip-rooted geranium
Biostatus
Native – Endemic taxon
Category
Vascular
Structural class
Herbs - Dicotyledons other than Composites
Flower colours
Red/Pink, White
Detailed description
Perennial herb 120–390 mm tall. Rootstock 4.9–15.7 mm diam., without fusiform roots. Stem erect to ascending, with retrorse, appressed, eglandular hairs 0.2–0.9 mm long. Basal leaves in a ± deciduous rosette; lamina 0.99–4.08 × 1.6–5.3 cm, polygonal in outline, cordate, palmatifid (divided for 0.56–0.84 of its length), pilose, with appressed, eglandular hairs; segments 5–7, obtriangular, 1.2–5.6 mm at the base, 3–9-lobed in distal half; petioles to 230 mm long, with retrorse, appressed, eglandular hairs 0.2–0.9 mm long; stipules 2.0–6.5 × 0.5–1.5 mm, with eglandular hairs on abaxial surface and on the margin, glabrous adaxially. Inflorescence 2-flowered cymules, solitary; peduncles (6)–13–31–(84) mm long, with retrorse, appressed, eglandular hairs 0.2–0.6 mm long; bracteoles 1.4–4.2 × 0.3–0.9 mm, linear-lanceolate, with eglandular hairs on abaxial surface and on the margin, glabrous adaxially; pedicels 6–37 mm long, with retrorse, appressed, eglandular hairs 0.2–0.6 mm long; pedicel and peduncle together usually overtopping the subtending leaf. Sepals (3.2)–4.9–5.5–(6.3) × 1.5–3.5 mm, lanceolate, with mucro (0.2)–0.4–0.6–(0.9) mm long, with scarious margins 0.1–0.2 mm wide, with antrorse, ± appressed, eglandular hairs 0.1-1.1 mm long on the abaxial side, glabrous adaxially. Petals (2.9)–3.5–5.3–(9.2) × 1.4–4.5 mm, entire or slightly notched, without claw, glabrous on both sides, ciliate on the basal margin, dark white, pink to dark purple. Filaments 2.2–4.7 mm long, whitish, glabrous on both sides, ciliate on the basal margin, with hairs up to 0.10–0.15 mm long; anthers 0.4–1.0 × 0.2–0.6 mm, yellowish. Nectaries glabrous. Gynoecium 2.0–4.5 mm long, yellowish. Fruit 11–18 mm long; mericarps 2.5–3.5 × 1.3–1.7 mm, smooth, with erect-patent, eglandular hairs 0.3–1.2 mm long, brownish; rostrum 7.8–13.2 mm long, without a narrowed apex, with erect-patent, eglandular hairs 0.1–0.7 mm long; stigmatic remains (0.6)–0.9–1.1–(1.3) mm long, with 5 hairy lobes. Seeds 1.5–2.3 × 1–1.4 mm, finely reticulate.
Similar taxa
Most frequently confused with G. solanderi Carolin from which it differs by the long hairs of the petiole and pedicel being distinctively retrorse and appressed, rather than straight, patent or curved and retrorse but never appressed, and by the dorsal alveolae of the seed being mostly 4–6- rather than 5–6-sided, and up to c. 0.1 mm rather than >0.1 mm diameter. The rootstock of G. retrorsum is often turnip-shaped, whereas that of G. solanderi is more like a long tapering parsnip or carrot.
Distribution
Indigenous. North and South Islands including many northern offshore islands.
Habitat
Coastal to lower montane (0–400 m a.s.l.). Formerly widespread in short tussock grasslands, on lava fields, clay pans and on rocky coastal headlands.
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.
- 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 | Threatened – Nationally Vulnerable | Qualifiers: DPR, DPS, DPT, SO
Threats
Geranium retrorsum is now very uncommon throughout most of its North Island range, though it is still common in parts of the eastern South Island (de Lange et al. 2010). In the North Island it is now mainly found on northern offshore islands. It appears to be threatened by browsing animals such as rabbits, which avidly dig up plants for the roots. The open habitats it prefers are also now largely dominated by taller growing exotic weeds. It is still said to be common in Australia.
Detailed taxonomy
Genus
Family
Synonyms
None
Taxonomic notes
In New Zealand Geranium retrorsum comprises three distinct races - the typical form (i.e. matching the type) is the one described here, which is undeniably indigenous. Two other races occur, one confined to weedy sites around Canterbury (see Webb & Simpson 2001), and another found so far only around Oakley Creek, Auckland (Mitchell et al. 2009) - and possibly also Tawa, Wellington. The taxonomic status of these latter two races, both of which probably also occur in Australia, needs resolution, but for now they are regarded as indigenous.
Endemic taxon
Yes
Endemic genus
No
Endemic family
No
Ecology
Flowering
September–March
Fruiting
October–July
Life cycle and dispersal
Seed dispersed by wind, ballistic projection and possibly attachment (Thorsen et al., 2009).
Propagation technique
Easily grown from fresh seed but inclined to be short-lived. Does not transplant well. Prefers a free-draining, sunny situation.
Other information
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.
retrorsum: Bent backward or downward
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.
GERRET
Chromosome number
2n = 52
Previous conservation statuses
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.
- 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.
2017 | Threatened – Nationally Vulnerable | Qualifiers: DP, SO
2012 | Threatened – Nationally Vulnerable | Qualifiers: DP, SO
2009 | Threatened – Nationally Vulnerable | Qualifiers: DP, SO
2004 | Not Threatened
Regional conservation statuses
Auckland: 2025 | Regionally Threatened – Regionally Vulnerable | Qualifiers: DPR, DPS, DPT, NStr, PF, RR, SO, Sp, NS
The regional threat classification system leverages off the national assessments in the NZTCS, providing information relevant for the regional context. Auckland conservation status information is sourced from the “Conservation status of vascular plant species in Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland” Simpkins E et al. (2025) report.
Otago: 2025 | Regionally Threatened – Regionally Critical | Qualifiers: DPR, DPS, DPT, NR, Sp
The regional threat classification system leverages off the national assessments in the NZTCS, providing information relevant for the regional context. Otago conservation status information is sourced from the “Conservation Status of Indigenous Vascular Plants in Otago, 2025” Jarvie S et al. (2025) report.
Referencing and citations
References and further reading
Aedo C, Fiz O, Alarcón ML, Navarro C, Aldasoro JJ. 2005. Taxonomic revision of Geranium sect. Dissecta (Geraniaceae). Systematic Botany 30: 533–558. https://doi.org/10.1600/0363644054782260
de Lange PJ, Heenan PB, Norton DA, Rolfe JR, Sawyer JWD. 2010. Threatened Plants of New Zealand. Canterbury University Press, Christchurch. 471 p.
Gardner RO. 1984. Geranium solanderi and allies in New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Botany 22: 127–134.
Mitchell AD, Heenan PB, Paterson AM. 2009. Phylogenetic relationships of Geranium species indigenous to New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Botany 47: 21–31.
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.
Webb CJ, Simpson MJA. 2001. Seeds of New Zealand Gymnosperms and Dicotyledons. Manuka Press, Christchurch. 428 p.
Attribution
Fact Sheet prepared by P.J. de Lange (14 April 2008). Description adapted from Aedo et al. (2005), supplemented with observations based on fresh and cultivated specimens.
NZPCN Fact Sheet citation
Please cite as: de Lange, P.J. (Year at time of access): Geranium retrorsum Fact Sheet (content continuously updated). New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/geranium-retrorsum/ (Date website was queried)