Geranium chinense Migo (1935), not G. sinense R. Knuth (1912); G. wilfordii var. chinense H. Hara; G. wilfordii var. glandulosum Z. M. Tan; G. wilfordii var. schizopetalum F. Z. Li.

Perennials. Rootstock ± horizontal, 4.3-8.7 mm in diam., not tuberculate, with thickened roots along rootstock. Stem 24-86 cm tall, erect, not rooting at nodes, with 0.3-0.7 mm retrorse ± appressed nonglandular trichomes. Stipules subulate, distinct. Leaves opposite or sometimes alternate toward base; petiole with 0.2-0.9 mm retrorse ± appressed nonglandular trichomes; leaf blade 3.7-8.1 cm, palmately cleft, ratio of main sinus/middle segment length = 0.72-0.92, pilose with appressed nonglandular trichomes; segments 3(or 5), rhombic, 0.7-1.5 cm wide at base, 7-19-lobed in distal half, ratio of second sinus/middle segment length = 0.04-0.19. Cymules solitary, (1 or)2-flowered; peduncle 1.4-4.7 cm. Pedicel 0.8-1.9 cm, with 0.1-0.5 mm retrorse ± appressed nonglandular trichomes and usually 0.2-1.1 mm patent glandular trichomes; bracteoles linear-lanceolate. Sepals 3.5-7.1 mm, mucro 0.8-2.3 mm, ratio of mucro/sepal length = 0.14-0.33, outside with 0.1-0.7 mm antrorse appressed nonglandular trichomes and 0.2-1.1 mm patent glandular trichomes, inside almost glabrous. Petals pale pink or white, 4-6.2(-6.9) mm, erect to patent, both surfaces basally with a few trichomes, margin with a few cilia, apex rounded or retuse. Staminal filaments yellowish, lanceolate with an abruptly narrowed apex, expanded base of inner whorl usually auriculate, abaxially pilose and proximal half ciliate, trichomes 0.1-0.4 mm; anthers violet-blue, 0.7-1 mm. Nectaries 5, hemispheric, glabrous. Stigma pale pink to crimson. Fruit 2-2.2 cm, erect when immature; mericarps smooth, with a basal callus, with 0.7-1.2 mm ± patent nonglandular trichomes and sometimes 0.6-1.2 mm patent glandular trichomes; rostrum 1.3-1.7 cm, with a 0.9-1.7 mm narrowed apex; stigmatic remains 1.3-2.7 mm. Seeds 2.4-2.9 mm. Fl. Jun-Jul, fr. Jul-Aug. 2n = 28.

Leaves permit a quick identification of Geranium wilfordii, because the blade is triangular in outline with 3 segments. In some specimens, the blade of basal leaves can have 2 more very short segments at the base, producing leaves with a ± pentagonal outline. These plants could be confused with G. thunbergii, which has longer petals. Basal cauline leaves are usually alternate in G. wilfordii but few herbarium specimens with whole plants are available to ascertain the variability of this feature. Glandular indumentum is variable, sometimes even in the same specimen.

Scrub, meadows, by water, weedy areas; 100-1800 m. Anhui, Fujian, S Gansu, Guizhou, Hebei, S Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning, E Nei Mongol, S Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Taiwan, E Yunnan, Zhejiang [Japan, Korea, Russia; Europe (introduced)].