Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Geraniales Juss. ex Bercht. & J.Presl
Family
Geraniaceae
Genus
Geranium L.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Geranium traversii Hook.f., Handb. New Zealand Fl. 726 (1867)
Synonymy:
  • = Geranium traversii var. elegans Cockayne, Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 34: 320 (1901 [1902])
Vernacular Name(s):
Chatham Island geranium
 Description

Low, rosette-forming perennial herb, with stout caulorrhiza, often producing runners; stems and lvs ± densely covered in silvery hairs. Basal lvs with slender petioles to ± 20 cm long. Lamina (1.5)–2–7–(9) cm diam., broad-reniform to orbicular, lobed to usually c. 1/2 way but sometimes more deeply; lobes 5–7, cuneate, toothed or lobed further. Cauline lvs similar to basal but smaller. Fls solitary; peduncles to ± 10 cm long, with retrorse hairs; bracteoles narrow-lanceolate, subacuminate. Sepals 7–11 × 2–4 mm, narrow- to broad-ovate, densely covered with grey hairs, cuspidate. Petals c. 12 × 10 mm, broad-obovate or obovate-oblong, pink or white, sometimes with darker veins. Stamens < or > pistil. Mericarps with silky hairs; beak (8)–12–18–(22) mm long. Seeds 2–2.5 × 1.2–1.5 mm, oblong-ellipsoid, dark brown, with very fine, elongated alveolae.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Endemic)
 Phenology

Flowering: Oct.–Feb.

 Bibliography
Carolin, R.C. 1965: The genus Geranium L. in the south western Pacific area. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 89: 326–361.
Cockayne, L. 1902: A short account of the plant-covering of Chatham Island. Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute 34: 243–325.
de Lange, P.J.; Norton, D.A.; Courtney, S.P.; Heenan, P.B.; Barkla, J.W.; Cameron, E.K.; Hitchmough, R.; Townsend, A.J. 2009: Threatened and uncommon plants of New Zealand (2008 revision). New Zealand Journal of Botany 47: 61–96. [Naturally uncommon]
de Lange, P.J.; Norton, D.A.; Heenan, P.B.; Courtney, S.P.; Molloy, B.P.J.; Ogle, C.C.; Rance, B.D. 2004: Threatened and uncommon plants of New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Botany 42(1): 45–76.
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Barkla J.W.; Courtney, S.P.; Champion, P.D.; Perrie, L.R.; Beadel, S.N.; Ford, K.A.; Breitwieser, I.; Schönberger, I.; Hindmarsh-Walls, R.; Heenan, P.B.; Ladley, K. 2018: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2017. New Zealand Threat Classification Series. No. 22. [Naturally Uncommon]
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Champion, P.D.; Courtney, S.P.; Heenan, P.B.; Barkla, J.W.; Cameron, E.K.; Norton, D.A.; Hitchmough, R.A. 2013: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2012. New Zealand Threat Classification Series 3. Department of Conservation, Wellington. [Naturally Uncommon]
Hooker, J.D. 1867: Handbook of the New Zealand Flora: a systematic description of the native plants of New Zealand and the Chatham, Kermadec's, Lord Auckland's, Campbell's, and Macquarrie's Islands. Part II. Reeve, London.