Geraniaceae
(Geranium Family)
Habit
- mostly herbs or shrubs
Leaves
- mostly
alternate, often
palmately dissected or
compound,
stipulate
Inflorescence
- of
determinate
umbels or flowers
solitary
Flowers
-
perfect, mostly
regular
Sepals
- 5
Petals
- 5,
distinct
Stamens
- 5-15,
distinct or
filaments
basally connate
Gynoecium
-
syncarpous of 5
carpels;
ovary superior with 5
locules and 1-2
ovules per
locule
Fruit
- usually a
schizocarp or
schizocarpic capsules
(mericarps split); all are
crowned with the persistent
elongated style (called a
beak)
Diversity
- 11 genera/700 species
Distribution
- widespread in temperate regions, particularly the Old World (Mediterranean & Southern Africa)
Economics
- some cultivated ornamentals--Pelargonium (garden geranium)
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