PELARGONIUM AESTIVALE

This member of the Geraniaceae family was given this name by Elizabeth M. Marais in 1995. It is found in some of the summer rain areas of South Africa, growing in grit or other well drained soil with some water and lots of sun. The caudex can grow to four centimetres in diameter, the branches up to ten centimetres. The flowers are crème coloured to pale yellow with red markings.

The genera name from Greek; pelargos; 'stork' for the ripening fruits, which resembles the bills of storks. The species name means 'summer flowering'. The leaves on a young plant. Photo by Vered A. Mann. The caudex of a young plant. Photo by Vered A. Mann. Flowers by Vered A. Mann.