Pelargonium crithmifolium

When Pelargonium crithmifolium is leafless in the hot, dry summer, the green stems capable of the limited photosynthesis required for staying alive during its rest (and challenged) season.

There is also much green to be seen on the sturdy stalks separating the lobes of the deeply divided leaves. The leaves become up to 12 cm long. They are said to smell of nutmeg and ginger.

The plant is deciduous, discarding leaves not only in summer, but in response to drought. The specific epithet, crithmifolium, likens the leaves to those of plants in the Crithmum genus, the sea samphire and rock samphire. These are barley-like perennials grow along parts of the Mediterranean coastline, also in England (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; Le Roux, et al, 2005; iNaturalist; Wikipedia; https://www.llifle.com; www.plantzafrica.com).