PELARGONIUM NEPHROPHYLLUM

This member of the Geraniaceae family was given this name by Elizabeth M. Marais in 1992. It is found near van Rhynsdorp in southern Namaqualand; South Africa, growing in a sandy or other well drained soil with some water and lots of sun. The caudex can grow to two centimetres in diameter, the entire plant to eight centimetres in height. The flowers are from light to dark pink with dark red markings.

The genera name from Greek; pelargos; 'stork' for the ripening fruits, which resembles the bills of storks. The species name from the Greek nephrodes; 'kidney-like' and Greek phyllum; ' plant. This is a winter-grower. The flowers emerges before the leaves. Photo by Juergen Menzel.