Pelargonium crithmifolium leaves and old flower stalks

The Afrikaans names of doringkopmalva (thorn head pelargonium) or dikstammalva (thick stem pelargonium) are both descriptive of the plant: At the onset of summer drought the leaves fall, exposing the prominent succulent stems. After flowering the long dry stalks of old blooms persist, sometimes in an untidy mesh resembling spines or thorns covering the top of the plant.

This latter feature distinguishes Pelargonium crithmifolium from a similar species, P. carnosum that has comparable stems and much divided grey-green leaves, but smaller flowers and flower stalks that do not persist. 

P. crithmifolium leaves are fleshy. Their petioles are furrowed along the upper sides. Leaves are crowded at the tips of branches (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2012; Le Roux, 2005).