Selected Plants of Navajo Rangelands
Geranium
Geranium may be found in grasslands and in wooded areas, growing to a height of four feet. While some geranium species are introduced, there are many natives as well. Species found in Utah and New Mexico include Fremont geranium (Geranium caespitosum), sticky geranium (Geranium viscosissimum), Richardson's geranium (Geranium richardsonii), and sticky purple geranium (Geranium viscosissimum).
Geraniums provide good livestock forage, particularly for sheep. Deer also graze the plants.
Flowers have five parts (petals, stamens) and display a range of colors in the lavender-pink spectrum. The leaves are palmately lobed and hairy. Stems are also hairy.
The sticky geranium has edible flowers and leaves. The Cheyenne used the leaves of Richardson's geranium medicinally and made a tea out of the roots.
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