MONSONIA PATERSONII

This member of the Geraniaceae family was described by Augustin Pyramus de Candolle in 1824. It is found in the south-western South Africa and Namibia, growing in grit or other well drained soil with little water and lots of sun. The stem grows up to four centimetres thick and 30 centimetres long. The flowers are whitish to pink, within a small area. The genera is named for Lady Ann Monson, 18th century plant collector on the Cape of Good Hope and in Bengal. The species name after William Paterson, 1755-1810, a English naturalist and traveller in South Africa. This is a winter-grower. Namibian plants.