The Genus
Some History
The Sections
Campylia
Chorisma
Ciconium
Cortusina
Glaucophyllum
Hoarea
Isopetalum
Jenkinsonia
Ligularia
Myrrhidium
Otidia
Pelargonium
Peristera
Polyactium
Reniformia
Subsucculentia
Sectionless
Further Reading
Links & resources
PELARGONIUM NOTES
S.
Afr. J. Bot. 78 (2012) 266-269.
Section Hoarea
Habit
Acaulescent geophyte.
Leaves
Lamina 6-17 x 5-9 mm, orbicular to elliptic in outline, mostly simple or with 1 or more lateral pinnae, leathery, glabrous adaxially and appressed-strigose along margins and along midrib and veins abaxially. Petioles prostrate, 10-20 mm long. Stipules subulate, adnate to petioles with apices free.
Inflorescence
With 2-3 branches, bearing up to 4 pseudo-umbels with 3-7 lowers each. Peduncles 35-70 mm, strigose with patent, acture hairs up to 1 mm long, intermixed with minute glandulose hairs, reddish. Pedicel ~0.5 mm.
Sepals
5, lanceolate, acute, reflexed during anthesis, purplish with white margins. Hypanthium 10-22 mm long, reddish.
Petals
Petals two, posterior, pale to mid-pink with red spotting or feather-like markings, reflexed at ~90o, spathulate, 12-14 x 4-6 mm, truncate or shallowly emarginate.
Stamens
5 fertile, exserted, staminal column 4 mm long, filaments 7-8 mm, staminodes minute.
Distribution
Habitat
There are few, if any, more breathtaking mountain passes and views in the Western Cape than the Watervalsberg Pass close to Wolseley, a small town just in front of us down in the fertile valley. This is the centre of diversity of the genus as a whole and new species are continuously being described from here. Looking across the valley are the Ceres Mountains to the left and the high peaks of Matroosberg on the right.
True to its name, P. saxatile is found on the slopes just behind the Pass, growing in pockets of soil amidst rocks. Where there is more soil available, P. asarifolium and another (new) hoarea abound.
Literature
J. C. Manning, P. Goldblatt (2012).
Section Hoarea
Habit
Acaulescent geophyte.
Leaves
Lamina 6-17 x 5-9 mm, orbicular to elliptic in outline, mostly simple or with 1 or more lateral pinnae, leathery, glabrous adaxially and appressed-strigose along margins and along midrib and veins abaxially. Petioles prostrate, 10-20 mm long. Stipules subulate, adnate to petioles with apices free.
Inflorescence
With 2-3 branches, bearing up to 4 pseudo-umbels with 3-7 lowers each. Peduncles 35-70 mm, strigose with patent, acture hairs up to 1 mm long, intermixed with minute glandulose hairs, reddish. Pedicel ~0.5 mm.
Sepals
5, lanceolate, acute, reflexed during anthesis, purplish with white margins. Hypanthium 10-22 mm long, reddish.
Petals
Petals two, posterior, pale to mid-pink with red spotting or feather-like markings, reflexed at ~90o, spathulate, 12-14 x 4-6 mm, truncate or shallowly emarginate.
Stamens
5 fertile, exserted, staminal column 4 mm long, filaments 7-8 mm, staminodes minute.
Distribution
Habitat
There are few, if any, more breathtaking mountain passes and views in the Western Cape than the Watervalsberg Pass close to Wolseley, a small town just in front of us down in the fertile valley. This is the centre of diversity of the genus as a whole and new species are continuously being described from here. Looking across the valley are the Ceres Mountains to the left and the high peaks of Matroosberg on the right.
True to its name, P. saxatile is found on the slopes just behind the Pass, growing in pockets of soil amidst rocks. Where there is more soil available, P. asarifolium and another (new) hoarea abound.
Literature
J. C. Manning, P. Goldblatt (2012).
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