Pelargonium sericifolium flowers

The inflorescence of Pelargonium sericifolium is rarely branched, flowers growing solitary or in a brace in a pseudo-umbel. The flowers grow on erect, hairy, long stalks of 2 cm to 4,5 cm. The pedicel, the individual flower stalk that begins where the peduncle of the pseudo-umbel ends, is 1 mm to 3 mm long.

The sepals are narrowly ovate, up to 9 mm long. Flower colour is pinkish purple, sometimes with dark markings especially on the anterior (lower) three petals. The petals may also show some white along the edges.

Petal size is from 15 mm to 28 mm by 10 mm to 16 mm in the posterior pair, the anterior three being smaller and reflexed, i.e. bent down. A flower has seven fertile stamens of three lengths, maybe adapted thus to capitalise on variable insect (pollinator) sizes.

When the rain has been good, flowers cover the plant in spectacular full bloom at winter’s end and spring (Williamson, 2010; Le Roux, et al, 2005; www2.arnes.si; www.pelargonium.si).