PELARGONIUM CERATOPHYLLUM

This member of the Geraniaceae family was described by Charles Louis L'Héritier de Brutelle in 1787. It is found in the western part of southern Namibia and north-western South Africa, growing in grit or other well drained soil with little water and lots of sun. The stems can grow to three centimetres, the whole plant will only grow to from 20 to 40 centimetres. The flowers, which occurs in the summer, are white and dark pink. The leaves will follows in the autumn.

The genera name from Greek; pelargos; 'stork' for the ripening fruits, which resembles the bills of storks. The species name from Greek keras; 'horn' and phyllum; 'leaves', referring to the horn-like leaves. This is a winter-grower - I visited in summer...