Pelargonium quercifolium flowers

Pelargonium quercifolium is commonly known as the muishondbos, not reflecting too well on the scent it exudes, although the flowers are pretty. The name P. quercifolium indicates a pelargonium with leaves similar to those of oak trees. That leaves much latitude as there are so many oak leaf shapes!

The flowers in shades of pink are marked in white and red-purple, a white spot fringed with darker or fainter lines in a typical pattern. The pedicel is short, the calyx tube about 1 cm long. Flower diameter is about 3 cm.

The plant is noted for resemblance to both P. glutinosum and P. panduriforme. It has fewer flowers than these species, up to 6 flowers per inflorescence or umbel.

It is a good option for the garden as the muishondbos adapts well to various garden conditions and may flower at any time during the year (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; www.plantzafrica.com).