Geranium linearilobum DC. ex Lam. & DC.

Some authors recognized two subspecies under Geranium linearilobum: plants with deeply dissected leaf blade segments into few linear laciniae may be considered as subsp. linearilobum, while specimens with incised or pinnatifid leaf blade segments belong to subsp. transversale. The variability of leaf shape in G. linearilobum is really remarkable, and it has not been possible to relate to any geographical area or other characters, such as trichome length or staminal filaments shape. A detailed discussion of this question is found in Aedo and Estrella (Israel J. Pl. Sci. 54: 19-54. 2006).

Perennials. Rootstock tubercles subglobose, 6.2-13.7 × 6.1-13.7 mm, with nontuberous separations 0.1-4.8 cm, 0.6-2.1 mm in diam., without thickened roots. Stem 19-46 cm tall, erect, not rooting at nodes, with 0.1-0.8 mm patent to retrorse nonglandular trichomes. Stipules lanceolate, distinct. Leaves 1(or 2) alternate but opposite at inflorescence; petiole with 0.1-0.8 mm patent to retrorse nonglandular trichomes; leaf blade 2.3-6.6 cm, palmately divided, pilose with appressed nonglandular trichomes; segments 5 or 7, rhombic to rarely linear-lanceolate, (1-)3-15-lobed at apex, ratio of second sinus/middle segment length = 0.23-0.84. Cymules solitary or in aggregates at apex of each branch, 2-flowered; peduncle (0-)0.3-5.6 cm. Pedicel 0.4-2.2 cm, with 0.3-1.1 mm patent nonglandular trichomes; bracteoles linear-lanceolate. Sepals 4.4-6.8 mm, mucro 0.2-2.7 mm, ratio of mucro/sepal length = 0.05-0.42, outside with 0.3-2.2 mm ± patent nonglandular trichomes, inside glabrous. Petals purplish, (0.8-)1-1.4(-1.5) cm, erect to patent, both surfaces glabrous, margin basally ciliate, apex emarginate with a 0.9-4.8 mm notch. Staminal filaments pinkish, lanceolate, abaxially pilose and proximal half ciliate, trichomes 0.3-2.7 mm; anthers yellowish, 1.1-2.4 mm. Nectaries 5, hemispheric, glabrous. Stigma dark purplish. Fruit 2.1-2.9 cm, erect when immature; mericarps smooth, without a basal callus, with 0.3-2.2 mm ± patent nonglandular trichomes; rostrum 1.5-2.4 cm, with a 1.7-3 mm narrowed apex; stigmatic remains 1.1-2.3 mm. Seeds 2-2.5 mm. Fl. May-Jun, fr. Jun.

NW Xinjiang [Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan; W Asia].

Stony slopes, sandy deserts, sandy steppes, fields; 500-800 m.

Geranium transversale (Karelin & Kirilov) Vvedensky; G. tuberosum Linnaeus var. transversale Karelin & Kirilov.