Pelargonium carnosum flowers

Succulent pelargoniums are some of the delightful flowering species of the arid interior of South Africa and some neighbouring states like Namibia and Botswana. The natural habitat of Pelargonium carnosum extends beyond the South African border into Namibia. This plant used to be called P. ferulaceum.

The flowers and leaves may be as delicate as their high rainfall area fellow members of the genus. The basal, swollen stems and rootstock serve as storage vessels for resources to survive the drier seasons. The stems are green to light brown or gray and smooth. Young stems are a little hairy.

It is grown as a container plant and even a bonsai. The flowers, leaves and stout stems are admired by their volunteer caretakers. More people are becoming aware of the importance of protecting them with the same care in their natural habitat as well these days (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2010).