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Glite Dictionary
Geranium maculatum

Geranium maculatum

8.4
A common wild flower in eastern North America with deeply divided leaves and purple flowers
  • noun
  • /dʒəˈreɪniəm mɑːˈkjuːlətəm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : geranio manchado
  • The woodland was full of blooming Geranium maculatum in early spring.

Examples

  • The Geranium maculatum blooms beautifully in the spring.

  • I saw a patch of Geranium maculatum in the forest.

  • Gardeners appreciate Geranium maculatum for its attractive foliage and vibrant flowers.

  • Many pollinators visit Geranium maculatum because of its abundant nectar.

  • In early spring, I love to see the beautiful Geranium maculatum blooming along the forest trail.

  • The Geranium maculatum adds a splash of color to my garden with its lovely rose-purple flowers.

  • When walking through the woods, I often spot Geranium maculatum growing amidst the ferns.

Synonyms

spotted cranesbill
vsGeranium maculatum
  • US
9.6

A common wild geranium with deeply divided leaves and pink-purple flowers

is the formal label used instead of the everyday name
wild geranium
vsGeranium maculatum
  • US
5.4

A small wild flower with divided leaves and purple flowers that grows in woods and meadows

is limited to eastern regions rather than a wider North American area

How Broad

order
  • Specialized
66 7.5
family
  • Specialized
155 4.0
genus
  • Specialized
13 7.1
Geranium maculatum
  • Specialized
8.4

Surface Forms

Geranium maculatum singular
Geranium maculata singular

Morphology

Geranium + maculatum

This is a binomial Latin species name: 'Geranium' clearly identifies the plant genus, so a learner who also knew the epithet could infer it denotes a particular kind of geranium. However, the specific epithet 'maculatum' is not an English word (and the full botanical description in the definition is not predictable from the parts), so the relation is only partially transparent rather than fully compositional.

Etymology

Geranium maculatum may come from old Greek and Latin words: geranium from a word for a 'crane' because the seed pods look like a crane's bill, and maculatum meaning 'spotted' for the dark marks on the leaves or flowers. So the name describes this wild geranium and helps you recognize the plant.