Pelargonium papilionaceum leaf

The leaves of Pelargonium papilionaceum are large, rounded and lobed to somewhat heart-shaped or cordate. Leaf size is about 7 cm from back to front and 10 cm from side to side. Leaf surfaces are dark, dull or bright green and coarse from fine net-veining. The main veins radiate from the leaf base, branch variably and are recessed on the upper surface. The leaf margins are finely toothed, minutely serrated (saw-toothed) or almost entire.

These leaves exude a strong scent. This is not a pleasant odour, said to remind of billy goats. Maybe it is this pungent smell that brought the plant its Afrikaans name of rambossie (little ram bush).

The leaves of the rambossie are said to have served as a tobacco substitute in times of want. They may also have been smoked for medicinal purpose, although it is not clear what ailments were combatted or caused (www.plantzafrica.com).