Geranium trilophum

The vertical cliffs of the north-east Socotra are home to many plant species, including this Geranium trilophum, that thrive in the protective shadow of the tall cliffs, which also provide water seeping out of cracks long after the winter rains.

There are 3 similar Geranium species found on Socotra:
G mascatense
G trilophum
G biuncinatum

This observation has a flower with a white centre, opposed to dark in Geranium biuncinatum and mascatense. Furthermore, this observation has what seems a mercicarp stuck in images 3 and 4 (ejected from the mature pod to the right in image), which fits the G trilophum, according to A G Miller – “Mericarps 4-6 mm long, minutely ridged and with a revolute toothed margin”. However, as this specimen does not have a dark center in the flower, it’s unclear if there are variations to this feature in either of the 3 species. It also seems that a positive ID is most likely done by the shape of the mericarps.

Native range is Arabian Peninsula, Southwest and South Iran.