Pelargonium luridum in habitat

Pelargonium luridum often grows among grass and rocks as seen here.

Apart from the common name starburst pelargonium, the plant is inevitably sometimes called the lurid storksbill, given its scientific, Latin name of luridum. This specific epithet was presumably chosen for the sometimes smoky, dull or drab colouring of the flowers, although they by no means deserve to be disparaged.

Low-growing and deciduous, the plant’s narrow to rounded and toothed, lobed or incised leaves are found in a basal tuft. Variably shaped and thus interesting, these leaves often go unnoticed in the grass. The leaf stalks may be around 30 cm long. The plant is hairy almost all over (Manning, 2009; Pooley, 1998; iNaturalist).