Climate Matching Map
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| climatematch-geranium_robertianum-oregon-20251102.pdf (1.19 MB) | 1.19 MB |
1. Question 1
Yes
1
Very High
The species Geranium robertianum is native to Europe, Asia, and Northern Africa. This species has become naturalized United States, Australia, Japan, Brazil, Chile, Georgia, and the Falkland Islands (“GBIF.ORG,” n.d.; “Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board,” n.d.; Vandelook & Assche, 2010).
Vandelook, F., and J. A. Van Assche. 2010. “A Combined Physical and Physiological Dormancy Controls Seasonal Seedling Emergence of Geranium Robertianum”. Plant Biology 12: 765-71. doi:10.1111/j.1438-8677.2009.00290.x.
Secretariat, GBIF. 2021. “GBIF Backbone Taxonomy: Geranium Robertianum”. https://www.gbif.org/species/2890668.
Board, Washington State Weed Control. 2021. “Herb Robert - Geranium Robertianum”. https://www.nwcb.wa.gov/weeds/herb-robert.
2. Question 2
Yes
2
Medium
When comparing the GBIF map of species records to similar climates according to the climate match results indicate species becoming neutralized in areas with similar climates (“Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF),” 2021)
Secretariat, GBIF. 2021. “GBIF Backbone Taxonomy: Geranium Robertianum”. https://www.gbif.org/species/2890668.
3. Question 3
Yes
2
High
Geranium robertianum has invaded the Pacific Northwest in the last twenty years, thriving in full canopy areas, pushing out and competing with native species, especially in disturbed areas such as ivy removal areas. Capable of producing up to 250 plants per square meter and considered an ecological threat (“State of Oregon: Oregon Noxious Weeds—Oregon Noxious Weed Profiles,” 2020). This plant has been noted as invasive in the United States, Australia, Japan, Brazil, Chile, Georgia, and the Falkland Islands, according to GBIF.org.
Agriculture, Oregon Department of. 2020. “Oregon Noxious Weed Profile”. https://www.oregon.gov/oda/programs/Weeds/OregonNoxiousWeeds/Pages/Abou…$\#$herb-robert.
Secretariat, GBIF. 2021. “GBIF Backbone Taxonomy: Geranium Robertianum”. https://www.gbif.org/species/2890668.
4. Question 4
Yes
3
High
Geranium robertianum is noted for being invasive in The United States, Australia, Japan, Chile, Georgia, and the Falkland Islands. When comparing Oregon's climate match map with the georeferenced records map, most locations where this species grows and is labeled as naturalized or invasive have a similar climate to Oregon's.
Secretariat, GBIF. 2021. “GBIF Backbone Taxonomy: Geranium Robertianum”. https://www.gbif.org/species/2890668.
5. Question 5
Yes
1
High
The genus Geranium has several species that are considered invasive such as G. carolinianum, where it has become invasive in areas it is not native to (“GBIF.ORG,” n.d.; Shirk & Hamrick, 2014). Comparing the Oregon similar climate map to other species in the genus Geranium occurrences indicate these species are found in the same climate and outside the parallel climates.
Shirk, Rebecca Y., and J. L. Hamrick. 2014. “High But Variable Outcrossing Rates in the Invasive Geranium Carolinianum (Geraniaceae)”. American Journal of Botany 101: 1200-1206. http://www.jstor.org/stable/43827165.
6. Question 6
No
0
Medium
This plant resides in greater than fifty percent outside similar climates to Oregon, extending beyond Oregon's climate. However, many occurrences are found outside Oregon's climate, such as Northern Europe, Alaska, and southeast South America (GBIF 2021).
Secretariat, GBIF. 2021. “GBIF Backbone Taxonomy: Geranium Robertianum”. https://www.gbif.org/species/2890668.
7. Question 7
Yes
1
Medium
Geranium robertianum can grow in monocultures up to 250 plants per square meter, out-competing native plants (Geranium_robertianum_BIO_GERO, 2010; Thurston County Environmental Health division, 2009).
“Herb Robert (Geranium Robertanium)”. 2009. https://www.co.thurston.wa.us/health/ehipm/pdf/herb_robert.pdf.
Program, Alaska Natural Heritage. 2010. “Herb Robert Geranim Robertianum L”. University of Alaska Anchorage. https://accs.uaa.alaska.edu/wp-content/uploads/Geranium_robertianum_BIO….
8. Question 8
No
0
Very High
No evidence was found of the species Geranium robertianum promoting fire. However, Geranium robertianum was noted for resprouting as a first succession species decreasing species richness in the first year after a forest fire (Ladd et al., 2005). Geranium robertianum is known to resprout and alter species richness after a fire by outcompeting resources from other species. However still, no evidence was found indicating an increase in promoting fires or changing fire regimes.
Ladd, P. G., R. Crosti, and S. Pignatti. 2005. “Vegetative and Seedling Regeneration After Fire in Planted Sardinian Pinewood Compared With That in Other Areas of Mediterranean-Type Climate”. Journal of Biogeography 32: 85-98. http://www.jstor.org/stable/3566309.
9. Question 9
No
0
Low
When crushed, geranium robertianum makes an unpleasant smell, potentially affecting grazing, but unlikely to have a noticeable difference to grazing species (Tofts, 2004). This plant does not pose a health risk to humans or animals/fish and has been used historically for medicinal purposes.
Tofts, Richard J. 2004. “Geranium Robertianum L”. Journal of Ecology 92: 537-55. http://www.jstor.org/stable/3599510.
10. Question 10
No
0
Medium
Geranium robertianum grows primarily by seed-producing up to 250 plants within a square meter, covering up to 90 percent of the surrounding surfaces (Thurston County Washington, 2009). This species grows from 8 to 24 inches tall, and does not no evidence was found indicating dense thickets obstructing passages (Thurston County Washington, 2009).
“Herb Robert (Geranium Robertanium)”. 2009. https://www.co.thurston.wa.us/health/ehipm/pdf/herb_robert.pdf.
11. Question 11
No
0
Very High
Geranium robertianum main reproduction process is Soley by seed as an annual or biennial depending on geographical growing conditions (“State of Oregon: Oregon Noxious Weeds—Oregon Noxious Weed Profiles,” 2020; “Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board,” n.d.; Tofts, 2004).
Tofts, Richard J. 2004. “Geranium Robertianum L”. Journal of Ecology 92: 537-55. http://www.jstor.org/stable/3599510.
Agriculture, Oregon Department of. 2020. “Oregon Noxious Weed Profile”. https://www.oregon.gov/oda/programs/Weeds/OregonNoxiousWeeds/Pages/Abou…$\#$herb-robert.
Board, Washington State Weed Control. 2021. “Herb Robert - Geranium Robertianum”. https://www.nwcb.wa.gov/weeds/herb-robert.
12. Question 12
No
0
Very High
Geranium robertianum main reproduction process is by seed (“State of Oregon: Oregon Noxious Weeds—Oregon Noxious Weed Profiles,” 2020; “Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board,” n.d.; Tofts, 2004).
Tofts, Richard J. 2004. “Geranium Robertianum L”. Journal of Ecology 92: 537-55. http://www.jstor.org/stable/3599510.
Agriculture, Oregon Department of. 2020. “Oregon Noxious Weed Profile”. https://www.oregon.gov/oda/programs/Weeds/OregonNoxiousWeeds/Pages/Abou…$\#$herb-robert.
Board, Washington State Weed Control. 2021. “Herb Robert - Geranium Robertianum”. https://www.nwcb.wa.gov/weeds/herb-robert.
13. Question 13
Yes
1
High
Seeds have been noted to stay viable in the soil for up to six-year (“Geranium_robertianum_BIO_GERO.pdf,” 2010)
Program, Alaska Natural Heritage. 2010. “Herb Robert Geranim Robertianum L”. University of Alaska Anchorage. https://accs.uaa.alaska.edu/wp-content/uploads/Geranium_robertianum_BIO….
14. Question 14
Yes
1
High
Geranium robertianum in its native location produces 50 to 1,550 seeds per plant. In locations where invasive such as Washington state this species has been known to produce over 3,000 seeds per square meter (“Geranium_robertianum_BIO_GERO.pdf,” 2010; Robert, 2009)
“Herb Robert (Geranium Robertanium)”. 2009. https://www.co.thurston.wa.us/health/ehipm/pdf/herb_robert.pdf.
Program, Alaska Natural Heritage. 2010. “Herb Robert Geranim Robertianum L”. University of Alaska Anchorage. https://accs.uaa.alaska.edu/wp-content/uploads/Geranium_robertianum_BIO….
15. Question 15
No
0
Very High
Geranium robertianum produces copious amounts of seeds, and greater than 25% germinate. However, this plant's seeds can be dormant for over six years from seed dispersal to germination (Bertin, 2001; "Geranium_robertianum_BIO_GERO.pdf," 2010.; "Herb robertianum profile," 2009).
“Herb Robert (Geranium Robertanium)”. 2009. https://www.co.thurston.wa.us/health/ehipm/pdf/herb_robert.pdf.
Program, Alaska Natural Heritage. 2010. “Herb Robert Geranim Robertianum L”. University of Alaska Anchorage. https://accs.uaa.alaska.edu/wp-content/uploads/Geranium_robertianum_BIO….
16. Question 16
Yes
1
Very High
Geranium robertianum flowers the following year after germination, and the seeds can stay dormant for up to six years but commonly germinates in as few as two months (Tofts, 2004).
Tofts, Richard J. 2004. “Geranium Robertianum L”. Journal of Ecology 92: 537-55. http://www.jstor.org/stable/3599510.
17. Question 17
Yes
1
Very High
Geranium robertianum flowers and produces fruit from May to September (Tofts, 2004)
Tofts, Richard J. 2004. “Geranium Robertianum L”. Journal of Ecology 92: 537-55. http://www.jstor.org/stable/3599510.
18. Question 18
Yes
1
Low
Geranium robertianum seeds are projected short distances up to 20 feet by carpel projection and then often dispersed by epizoology. The seeds produced are sticky and can easily be attached to clothing and or animals with fur, indicating a greater likelihood of seed dispersal greater than 100 meters. However, no direct evidence was found to confirm long-distance seed dispersal by humans or animals. (“State of Oregon: Oregon Noxious Weeds—Oregon Noxious Weed Profiles,” 2020; Van Rossum, Raspe, & Vandelook, 2021)
Van Rossum, Fabienne, Olivier Raspe, and Filip Vandelook. 2021. “Evidence of Spontaneous Selfing and Disomic Inheritance in Geranium Robertianum”. Ecology and Evolution 11. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/ece3.7677.
Agriculture, Oregon Department of. 2020. “Oregon Noxious Weed Profile”. https://www.oregon.gov/oda/programs/Weeds/OregonNoxiousWeeds/Pages/Abou…$\#$herb-robert.
19. Question 19
No
0
Very Low
No evidence of species Geranium robertianum propagules dispersed greater than 100 m by water or wind was found.
No references cited.
20. Question 20
Yes
1
Very High
Geranium robertianum, when seeding, projects the seeds up to 2o feet away. The seeds are sticky, adhering to most surfaces they land on, such as animals and clothing (Thurston County Washington, 2009; Tofts, 2004; Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board, n.d.)
Tofts, Richard J. 2004. “Geranium Robertianum L”. Journal of Ecology 92: 537-55. http://www.jstor.org/stable/3599510.
“Herb Robert (Geranium Robertanium)”. 2009. https://www.co.thurston.wa.us/health/ehipm/pdf/herb_robert.pdf.
Board, Washington State Weed Control. 2021. “Herb Robert - Geranium Robertianum”. https://www.nwcb.wa.gov/weeds/herb-robert.
Evaluation Notes
Climate Match map and link updated for new web platform. Some text edits added to references to correct typographical issues. J. Burger (11/2/2025)
Total PRE Score
16
20
77
