MONSONIA PENICULINA

This member of the Geraniaceae family was given this name by Focke Albers in 1996. It's found in Namibia, growing in well-drained soil with little water and lots of sun. The stems get two centimetres thick and the whole plant reaches not for more than 10 centimetres. The flowers are pale pink to rose, easiest to reproduce by cuttings. The genera is named for Lady Ann Monson, 18th century plant collector on the Cape of Good Hope and in Bengal. The species name from Latin peniculus; 'small tail' or 'small brush', application obscure but perhaps for the new-grown leaves. The name was first introduced by R.O. Moffett in Bothalia. A Record of Contributions from the National Herbarium, Union of South Africa. Pretoria 1979 - which I fail to find. This is a winter-grower. Below are wild flowers from Namibia. The last of the wild flowers in this column. This is a "double flower" from William's collection in Beijing, China. The anthers have been converted into petals. Photo by Willian, Beijing. Photo by Willian, Beijing.