Geranium lanuginosum
Local name: Géranium laineux
Géranium laineux (Geranium lanuginosum) is a perennial herbaceous plant characterized by its distinctive woolly, densely hairy leaves and stems that give it a silvery-gray appearance. This hardy geranium produces small pink to purple flowers and plays an important role in mountain ecosystems by providing nectar for specialized high-altitude pollinators and helping stabilize soil with its robust root system.
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Plantae
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Order
Geraniales
Family
Geraniaceae
Genus
Geranium
Geranium lanuginosum belongs to the family Geraniaceae, order Geraniales, within the Magnoliopsida class.
Species Profile
Géranium laineux (Geranium lanuginosum) is a perennial herbaceous plant characterized by its distinctive woolly, densely hairy leaves and stems that give it a silvery-gray appearance. This hardy geranium produces small pink to purple flowers and plays an important role in mountain ecosystems by providing nectar for specialized high-altitude pollinators and helping stabilize soil with its robust root system.
Geranium lanuginosum faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and urban development in its limited Mediterranean range. The species' restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized threats, while climate change poses additional pressure through altered precipitation patterns and increased drought frequency.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
This species inhabits rocky slopes, alpine meadows, and scree fields at high elevations, typically found in well-drained, mineral-rich soils between 1,500-3,000 meters altitude. It thrives in areas with intense UV radiation and extreme temperature fluctuations characteristic of montane and subalpine zones.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Endangered
Geranium lanuginosum faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and urban development in its limited Mediterranean range. The species' restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized threats, while climate change poses additional pressure through altered precipitation patterns and increased drought frequency.
Agricultural expansion and intensification
Urban development and infrastructure
Climate change and drought
Habitat fragmentation
Overgrazing by livestock
Community Sightings
Report a sightingNo community sightings yet. Be the first to report!
Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Geranium lanuginosum (Geranium lanuginosum). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/geranium-laineux