Geranium pogonanthum Franch.

This species is difficult to differentiate from Geranium delavayi when fresh petals are not available to observe their colors. However, G. pogonanthum has staminal filaments with longer and abundant trichomes and longer petals. Glandular indumentum is also variable in G. pogonanthum, being sometimes just present on the stem base and other times only on the inflorescence. Bracteoles are sometimes filiform, like in G. delavayi, and other times lanceolate as in G. yunnanense.

Perennials. Rootstock ± horizontal, 4.2-15.6 mm in diam., not tuberculate, with thickened roots along rootstock. Stem 22-59 cm tall, erect, not rooting at nodes, with 0.4-1.1 mm retrorse to patent nonglandular trichomes and rarely 1-1.9 mm patent glandular trichomes. Stipules broadly lanceolate, connate at least at base. Leaves opposite; petiole with 0.4-1.1 mm patent to retrorse nonglandular trichomes; leaf blade 3.9-7.6 cm, palmately cleft, ratio of main sinus/middle segment length = 0.68-0.92, pilose with ± appressed nonglandular trichomes; segments 5, rhombic, 4.7-10.1 mm wide at base, 7-29-lobed in distal half, ratio of second sinus/middle segment length = 0.17-0.34. Cymules solitary, 2-flowered; peduncle 5-11 cm. Pedicel 1-3.4 cm, with 0.3-0.6 mm patent to retrorse nonglandular trichomes and sometimes 0.2-0.5 mm patent glandular trichomes; bracteoles filiform to lanceolate. Sepals 6.9-11.1 mm, mucro 1.1-2.3 mm, ratio of mucro/sepal length = 0.1-0.2, outside with 0.6-1.7 mm ± patent nonglandular trichomes and sometimes 0.8-1.4 mm patent glandular trichomes, inside glabrous. Petals white to pink or purplish, (1.2-)1.3-1.4(-1.7) cm, reflexed, basally with a dense tuft of trichomes on inside surface, margin, and sometimes outside surface, apex rounded. Staminal filaments pink to purplish, lanceolate, abaxially densely pilose and proximal half ciliate, trichomes 1-1.8 mm; anthers blackish, 1.7-3.1 mm. Nectaries 5, hemispheric, abaxially glabrous, apex with a tuft of trichomes. Stigma purplish. Fruit 2.4-3.6 cm, nodding when immature; mericarps smooth, with a basal callus, with 0.4-0.8 mm ± patent nonglandular trichomes; rostrum 1.6-2.8 cm, with a 5.9-6.2 mm narrowed apex; stigmatic remains 2.3-3.1 mm. Seeds 2.5-3.5 mm. Fl. Jul-Aug, fr. Aug-Oct.

Sichuan, Yunnan.

● Forest margins, scrub, meadows; 3000-3500 m.

Geranium lankongense H. W. Li; G. meiguense Z. M. Tan; G. palustre Linnaeus var. stipulaceum Franchet.