Pelargonium sericifolium

Pelargonium sericifolium, in Afrikaans commonly known as the naaldekoker (dragonfly) and previously scientifically as P. sericeum, is a low-growing, much-branched, evergreen shrublet of only about 20 cm in height.

The leaves are green or grey-green and palmately divided into narrow, finger-like lobes. The leaf surfaces are shiny from a dense covering of hairs. The sericifolium adjective that denotes the species refers to these silky hairs.

P. sericifolium is an endemic of the Northern Cape, the Richtersveld and further south in other parts of Namaqualand, particularly the Klipkoppe.

The habitat is arid rocky slopes of granite or shale. The habitat population is deemed of least concern early in the twenty first century.

The plant is palatable to game and livestock (Williamson, 2010; Le Roux, 2005; iNaturalist; www2.arnes.si; www.redlist.sanbi.org).