Bloomipedia
Sticky geranium (Geranium viscosissimum)
Photo: Laurel Meredyk via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized

Flower profile

Sticky geranium

Geranium viscosissimum

Native in the lower 48

Sticky geranium is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. It's on our flower lists for 4 states, and across the U.S. it's most often seen in bloom in May–September.

12states
4of our state lists
8,147U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Idaho, Montana, Utah, Wyoming

Quick look

Geranium viscosissimum, commonly known as the sticky purple geranium, is a perennial in the flowering plant family Geraniaceae. It is thought to be a protocarnivorous plant.

  • It belongs to the Geraniaceae family. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) with a annual, perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 12 states. USDA PLANTS
  • NatureServe lists it as native to Wyoming, Montana, Idaho and Utah. NatureServe
  • In Wyoming, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in June–September. iNaturalist
  • In Montana, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in May–September. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS lists its flower color as purple. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS gives its bloom period as mid spring. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists a mature height of about 3 ft. USDA PLANTS
  • iNaturalist has 2,322 research-grade sightings of it in Wyoming, ranking #2 among the 107 flowers on our Wyoming list. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 1,895 research-grade sightings of it in Montana, ranking #6 among the 109 flowers on our Montana list. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 1,283 research-grade sightings of it in Idaho, ranking #13 among the 109 flowers on our Idaho list. iNaturalist

Sticky geranium gift ideas

Handmade sticky geranium gifts from independent makers.

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When does it bloom?

Flowering records by month across the U.S. (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (825 records)
Bloom time in each of our 4 states
StateTypePeak bloomSightings*
WyomingNativeJune–September2,322
MontanaNativeMay–September1,895
IdahoNativeMay–August1,283
UtahNativeMay–September938

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA)
Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
NatureServe global
G5 Secure worldwide. NatureServe
Wyoming
No list Wyoming has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Wyoming ranks instead. NatureServe: S5, secure in Wyoming.
Montana
No list Montana has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Montana ranks instead. NatureServe: S5, secure in Montana.
Idaho
No list Idaho has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Idaho ranks instead. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Idaho.
Utah
No list Utah has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Utah ranks instead. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Utah.
Rare elsewhere
Other states where NatureServe ranks it rare or missing: NE (S1). (S1 critically imperiled, S2 imperiled, SH possibly extirpated, SX presumed extirpated.)

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peopleNot well documented

None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension (no page for this plant), USDA PLANTS) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people.

For petsNot well documented

It isn't on the ASPCA plant list.

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records sticky geranium in 12 states.

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming.

Wyoming counties with USDA records: Albany, Big Horn, Carbon, Converse, Crook, Fremont, Hot Springs, Johnson, Laramie, Lincoln, Natrona, Park, Sheridan, Sublette, Sweetwater, Teton, Washakie.

Montana counties with USDA records: Beaverhead, Big Horn, Broadwater, Carbon, Cascade, Chouteau, Deer Lodge, Fergus, Flathead, Gallatin, Glacier, Golden Valley, Granite, Hill, Jefferson, Judith Basin, Lake, Lewis and Clark, Lincoln, Madison, Meagher, Mineral, Missoula, Park, Pondera, Powell, Rosebud, Sanders, Silver Bow, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Teton, Valley, Wheatland.

Idaho counties with USDA records: Ada, Adams, Bannock, Bear Lake, Bingham, Blaine, Boise, Bonner, Bonneville, Butte, Camas, Caribou, Cassia, Clark, Clearwater, Custer, Elmore, Franklin, Fremont, Gem, Idaho, Kootenai, Latah, Lemhi, Lewis, Nez Perce, Oneida, Owyhee, Shoshone, Twin Falls, Valley.

More Wyoming flowers

Redstem stork's-bill (Erodium cicutarium)

Redstem stork's-bill

Erodium cicutarium

Introduced

🌼 Blooms: February–May
Richardson's geranium (Geranium richardsonii)

Richardson's geranium

Geranium richardsonii

Native

🌼 Blooms in WY: June–August
Fireweed (Chamaenerion angustifolium)

Fireweed

Chamaenerion angustifolium

Native

🌼 Blooms in WY: July–September

Sources