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Abstract
Floral pigmentation is an ecologically critical trait frequently examined in context of plant’s response to its environment (biotic and abiotic). Geographical variation is an important but difficult phenomenon to study. It requires dedicated field work at fine-tuned locations to establish a pattern. These patterns can provide insight on how selective and neutral evolutionary processes shape variation. This paper provides an overview of geographic variation in the native herbaceous species, Geranium maculatum. We have found an innovative method for classifying petal color using citizen science photographs from iNaturalist.org. We use this plus a traditional field study to describe the pattern of floral color in petal and pollen across the native range. Then, we use correlative studies to establish environmental influences that may select for pigmentation. Using linear regressions, random forests, niche model, mantel tests and PCA we determine that pollen and petal color may be influenced by precipitation, temperature, and UV. Finally, we used the RADcap approach to identify SNP loci to describe population differentiation with F¬st. We investigate population structure and compare netural genetic variation to phenotypic variation previously found. In summary, our results suggest that floral pigmentation in this species is influenced by its environment.