# sticky geranium (*Geranium viscosissimum*) Sticky geranium is a pretty plant with soft, sticky leaves. It grows in many places and has lovely pink flowers that attract butterflies and bees! - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 10 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![sticky geranium](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Geraniumviscosissimum.jpg&width=800) Photo: RG Johnsson, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Geraniumviscosissimum.jpg) ## Appearance The sticky geranium has deeply lobed, palm-shaped leaves covered in tiny glandular hairs, giving them a fuzzy, sticky feel. Its vibrant magenta to purple-pink flowers bloom in clusters, often with darker veins, standing out against the green foliage. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Geraniales - **Family:** Geraniaceae - **Genus:** Geranium ## Interesting facts - Its leaves can feel like flypaper, often catching tiny bugs! - The 'sticky' in its name means 'most sticky' in Latin! - This wild geranium is a native beauty of western North America! - When its seeds ripen, the plant violently flings them into the air! ## Special abilities - **Trapper Guard:** Sticky geranium has tiny, gummy hairs on its stems and leaves that can trap small insects, helping protect itself from pests! - **Seed Flinger:** When its seeds are ripe, the sticky geranium powerfully snaps them out, spreading its offspring far away to find new homes. - **Sun-Shade Switcher:** This plant can thrive in both bright sun and partial shade, thanks to its adaptable leaves and root system. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 30-90 cm - **Spread:** 30-60 cm - **Flower Size:** 2-3 cm - **Bloom Season:** Late spring to late summer - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** Two-form bumblebee (*Bombus bifarius*) — visits flowers for nectar - **Pollinates:** Mixed bumblebee (*Bombus mixtus*) — collects pollen and nectar - **Pollinates:** [Common drone fly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-drone-fly) (*Syrphus ribesii*) — visits flowers for nectar - **Eaten by:** [Mule deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mule-deer) (*Odocoileus hemionus*) — may browse leaves occasionally ## Traits - [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons. - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Shade Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shade-tolerant): Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight. - [Medicinal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/medicinal): Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always wash your hands after touching plants, just to be safe! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify sticky geranium? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is sticky geranium? 30-90 cm ### How wide does sticky geranium spread? 30-60 cm ### How big are the flowers on sticky geranium? 2-3 cm ### When does sticky geranium bloom? Late spring to late summer ### Is sticky geranium edible? No ### Is sticky geranium toxic? None ### What is sticky geranium's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Jackson Lake Lodge](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/jackson-lake-lodge) — Wyoming, US · Historic Site - [Mormon Row Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mormon-row-historic-district) — Wyoming, US · Historic District - [Murie Ranch Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/murie-ranch-historic-district) — Wyoming, US · Historic District - [AMK Ranch](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/amk-ranch) — Wyoming, US · Historic Site - [Andy Chambers Ranch Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/andy-chambers-ranch-historic-district) — Wyoming, US · Historic District - [East Glacier Ranger Station Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/east-glacier-ranger-station-historic-district) — Montana, US · Historic District [View all places to see sticky geranium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/sticky-geranium) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Sticky Geranium: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sticky-geranium)