Previous plant

Pelargonium ceratophyllum

Next plant

Dormant but flowering plant from Aus, Namibia.


Photo of a plant with leaves in Botanischen Garten Dresden by Michael Wolf.

Author:  C.L. L'Héritier de Brutelle, 1787
Family:  GERANIACEAE
Origin:  Southern Namibia, North-Western South Africa
Soil:  Grit - Mix
Water:  Minimum
Sun:  Maximum
Thickness:  3 Centimetres
Height:  25-40 Centimetres
Flower:  White / Dark Pink
Propagate:  Seeds/Cuttings
Names:  -
Synonyms:  Pelargonium hospitans, Dinter, 1919.
Geraniospermum ceratophyllum, Kuntze.
Geraniospermum dasycaulon,
Kuntze.
Geranium ceratophyllum,
Poir.
Otidia ceratophylla,
Hoffmanns.

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...