Pelargonium laevigatum flower

The flowers of Pelargonium laevigatum grow in few-flowered pseudo-umbels on short stalks from stem tips.

The pair of petals in the flower’s upper lip has reddish purple markings in their lower parts, while the three slightly smaller petals in the lower lip are unmarked. The markings are angular, shaped like the petals, two lines tapering to the base in modified horseshoe fashion; some tiny spikes sometimes angle out on the sides. Petal colour is white, cream or pale pink. All the petals broaden towards their somewhat square tips. They may bend back from their mid-sections or curve back.

The five sepals are small, narrow and acutely pointed, the calyx tube from 1,5 cm to 4 cm long.

Flowering occurs all year round, peaking in spring and summer. The photo was taken in March in Kirstenbosch.

The purple stigma branches can be observed in the flower centre (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2010; Moriarty, 1997; www.plantzafrica.com).