Geranium umbelliforme Franch.

This species somewhat resembles Geranium polyanthes, although its inflorescence is more lax because cymules always have a well-developed peduncle. Differences in rostrum shape should be checked with more fruiting material of G. umbelliforme, because only one mature fruit has been studied. Ovate stipules are shared with G. polyanthes and G. wardii Yeo. The latter is an endemic from C Myanmar and has opposite leaves.

Perennials. Rootstock ± vertical, 6-11 mm in diam., not tuberculate, without thickened roots. Stem 28-45 cm tall, erect, not rooting at nodes, with 0.3-3.9 mm patent nonglandular trichomes and 0.7-1.8 mm patent glandular trichomes. Stipules ovate, distinct. Leaves alternate; petiole with 0.4-3.9 mm patent nonglandular trichomes and 0.6-1.8 mm patent glandular trichomes; leaf blade 3.7-8.4 cm, palmately cleft, ratio of main sinus/middle segment length = 0.66-0.73, pilose with ± appressed nonglandular and glandular trichomes; segments 5 or 7, obtriangular, 0.8-1.4 cm wide at base, 7-15-lobed in distal half, ratio of second sinus/middle segment length = 0.16-0.19. Cymules in loose umbel-like aggregates at apex of each branch, (2 or)3(or 4)-flowered; peduncle 2.5-6.7 cm. Pedicel 0.6-3.5 cm, with 0.4-3.5 mm patent nonglandular trichomes and 0.6-1.8 mm patent glandular trichomes; bracteoles linear-lanceolate. Sepals 6.1-7.6 mm, mucro 0.7-1.4 mm, ratio of mucro/sepal length = 0.11-0.18, outside with 0.3-3.2 mm patent nonglandular trichomes and 0.6-1.6 mm patent glandular trichomes, inside glabrous. Petals pinkish, 1.3-1.5 cm, erect to patent, both surfaces basally with trichomes but mainly inside, margin basally ciliate, apex rounded or retuse. Staminal filaments whitish, lanceolate, abaxially pilose and proximal half ciliate, trichomes 0.3-0.9 mm; anthers brownish, 0.9-1.6 mm. Nectaries 5, hemispheric, glabrous. Stigma reddish. Fruit ca. 1.8 cm, erect when immature; mericarps reticulate, without a basal callus, with 0.1-0.2 mm ± appressed nonglandular trichomes; rostrum ca. 1.2 cm, with a ca. 2 mm narrowed apex; stigmatic remains ca. 1.5 mm. Seeds not known. Fl. Jun-Aug, fr. Aug-Oct.

S Sichuan, NW Yunnan.

● Meadows in forest zone; 2800-3200 m.

Geranium umbelliforme is a plant species native to central Sichuan and Yunnan, China at elevations of 2800–3200 meters.