Hypanthium present or absent. Sepals 5, connate. Fruit a legume, loment or indehiscent pod. Many members possess a symbiotic relationship with a microrganism that fixes nitrogen, enhancing the soils these plants inhabit. Inflorescence of cymose umbels.
Flowers perfect, regular or irregular.
Fruit a schizocarp, schizocarpic capsule or capsule. Several members of Geraniaceae are cultivated as ornamentals for their flowers and foliage. Geranium oil, used in the perfume industry, is extracted from the herbage of Pelargonium species. Various species of Geranium are native to North America and form colorful wildflower displays. Although it is palatable to cattle when the plant is young, the dried mericarps of the species can cause injury to livestock.