Pelargonium laevigatum

Pelargonium laevigatum, the smooth pelargonium or in Afrikaans commonly known as the noublaarmalva (narrow-leaved pelargonium), is a small, semi-succulent shrub that grows into a rounded form and reaches heights from 50 cm to to 75 cm. The soft, smooth stems have a variable growth habit; mostly erect, sometimes straggling. The plant resprouts after fire.

The species distribution ranges from the Swartberge near Ladismith in the Little Karoo through the Langkloof and Baviaanskloof to Somerset East and Humansdorp in the Eastern Cape.

The habitat is dry mountain slopes in sandy or loamy soils of renosterveld, fynbos and variable scrubveld. The plants may be abundant on disturbed land, acting as a pioneer in increasing veld. The habitat population is deemed of least concern early in the twenty first century (Euston-Brown and Kruger, 2023; Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; Moriarty, 1997; iNaturalist; www.plantzafrica.com).