''Pelargonium cordifolium'' is a plant endemic to the

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region of the

Southern Cape The Western Cape is a province of South Africa, situated on the south-western coast of the country. It is the fourth largest of the nine provinces with an area of , and the third most populous, with an estimated 7 million inhabitants in 2020 ...

South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countri ...

Etymology

''Pelargonium'' is from Ancient Greek πελαργός (pelargós = 'stork'). Another name for pelargonium is 'storksbill' after the shape of its fruit; 'cordifolium' refers to the heart-shaped leaves (cor/cordis being 'heart' in Latin).

Description

''Pelargonium cordifolium'' is a large, spreading species, growing up to 1.5 metres tall. It is a hairy plant with a slight apple scent and pale pink flowers with dark veins appearing from March to July. Its flat or curled, heart-shaped leaves are finely to coarsely toothed, entire or shallowly lobed, dark green on the upper surface and white-matted below. It is valued as a houseplant or as an outdoor perennial, climate permitting. Its leaves may be used in

potpourri Potpourri ( ) is a mixture of dried, naturally fragrant plant materials used to provide a gentle natural scent, commonly in residential settings. It is often placed in a decorative bowl. The word "potpourri" comes into English from the French ...

Cultivars and hybrids

There are a few cultivars and hybrids of ''Pelargonium cordifolium''. These include: *''Pelargonium cordifolium'' var. ''rubrocinctum'' - A variety with slightly paler leaves and reddish - pink flowers with maroon veins. *''Pelargonium cordifolium'' 'Caroline's Citrine' - A variety with golden leaves and dark blotches in the centre. *''Pelargonium cordifolium'' 'Donn's Goldstrike' - A variety with golden leaves similar to ''P.Caroline's Citrine' but without the dark green blotches.

References

Gallery

cordifolium Taxa named by Antonio José Cavanilles {{Geraniaceae-stub