With cooler weather approaching, the winter or cool season weeds will be germinating as well.  One such weed is Carolina geranium.  Even though the name suggests that it is native to another state, it in fact is a native plant found throughout the US, except perhaps Hawaii and Alaska. It is commonly seen in areas of lawns, landscape beds, fields, and roadsides that receive minimal maintenance as well as areas with poor, dry soils.

Carolina geranium (Geranium carolinianum) is a branching winter annual or biennial with long hairy stems that range from green to red in color. Leaves are hairy on both surfaces with various divided sections and bluntly toothed margins. The fibrous root system has a shallow taproot and usually has a maximum height under 12 inches. 

The flowers of Carolina geranium are found at the tips of stems and range in color from white to pink with 5 petals. The seeds have a distinctive elongated beak which gives the plant its nickname, cranesbill.

In landscape beds, a 2- to 3-inch mulch layer can suppress many weeds from germinating, including Carolina geranium. Hand-pulling of Carolina geranium is effective due to its shallow taproot. As with most weeds, be sure to remove the plant before it goes to seed to prevent Carolina