Pelargonium triste fresh foliage

The fine leaflet divisions on these bright green, much dissected leaves of Pelargonium triste are probably quite young; older ones tend to blue-green colouring. The leaflet segments are normally either twice or thrice-divided, reminding of carrot leaves.

The sturdy leaf stalk is strong, but presents its hairy leaflet load on the ground or only slightly above. Leaf stalks emerge directly from the root or near it from the ground (radical leaves), as very little stem is present on this plant. Leaves on the flowering stems are much smaller than the basal ones.

The photo was taken in October (Curtis-Scott, et al, 2020; Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; Manning, 2007; Bean and Johns, 2005; iNaturalist; www.plantzafrica.com).