PELARGONIUM COTYLEDONIS

This member of the Geraniaceae family was given this name by Charles Louis L'Héritier de Brutelle in 1789. It is only found on St. Helena Island, growing in little well-drained soil with some water in summer. The stem will grow to five centimetres in diameter and 30 centimetres in height. The flowers are white, and it can be reproduced both by seeds and cuttings.

The genera name from Greek; pelargos; 'stork' for the ripening fruits, which resembles the bills of storks. The species name means 'resembling Cotyledon ' a genus in the Crassulaceae family. This is another variation, naturally occurring on St. Helena and described by Dr. Roxburgh. It is known as 'Ventnor', and the significant characteristic is the hairy leaves. Photos by Vered A. Mann. Underneath, the hairs are dense. Photo by Vered A. Mann. And a grown-up one.