Pelargonium paniculatum

Pelargonium paniculatum is one of the caudiciform members of the genus. The storage of moisture in the bulky succulent stem suggests the habitat: arid places where rain is scarce and surplus moisture conservation capacity is a survival asset. Not surprisingly, the plant grows in the northern parts of the South African west coast from around Hondeklipbaai northwards, the Richtersveld and south western parts of Namibia.

The stem reaches 12 cm in diameter and 70 cm in height. The leaves are finely pinnate, growing in winter. The flowers have narrow, curved white petals with pinkish brown markings along the veins. The upper two petals have more of the coloured markings near their bases (www.bihrmann.com; www.geraniaceae.com; www.aridlands.com).