Geranium ocellatum

Geranium ocellatum belongs to the Geraniaceae family and lives for one year. Kew gives its native range as eastern Afghanistan to southern China and northern Thailand. Plants For A Future lists a much wider range. It spans parts of Asia, Arabia, and Africa. This list does not say where the plant is native. Nor does it say where people brought it from elsewhere. The RHS says it is not native to Britain or Ireland.

This small plant grows about 0.7 feet [0.2 metres] tall. It lives for one year, unlike garden geraniums that live for years. The sources give no width for this species. They give no details on its leaves, stems, or fruit. Plants For A Future says it flowers in July and August. Each flower has both male and female organs. Insects carry pollen between the flowers. The sources do not describe this species' flower colour or shape.

In the Himalayas, it grows in temperate and subtropical regions. One record gives heights of 984–5,906 feet [300–1,800 metres]. A Nepal record notes damp sites in the shade. These lie at 2,953–7,874 feet [900–2,400 metres]. These records show where it grows in the wild. They do not show tested limits for growth in gardens. Kew also links this species with a temperate climate. The sources give no hardiness rating or frost limit.

For garden growth, Plants For A Future advises sun and moist soil. This differs from its reports of shade in the wild. The plant can grow in sand, loam, and clay. The soil should hold water and have a fair nutrient level. It also copes with slightly acid, neutral, and slightly alkaline soil. The source lists garden beds as a place to grow it. It says to sow seed where it will grow in spring. These notes support growing it in beds. They say little about its value for show. The sources name no pests or diseases for this species.

Plants For A Future lists no known food uses. It also reports no known hazards. This does not prove it is safe for people or pets. The source notes use as an astringent, which draws tissues tight. It also notes use as a diuretic, which boosts urine flow. It describes plant juice as a treatment for amoebic dysentery. These reports do not prove that such uses are safe or work. The same source lists no other uses. It flags no risk of the plant becoming a weed.