Bot. Mag. 5 (1791) t. 165.
Section Pelargonium

Habit
A spreading and branched aromatic shrub up to >1.5 m, though usually ~1 m tall. The main stem is woody at base, the branches are herbaceous and covered with hairs. 


Leaves
Cordate, flat or curled, usually 5 x 6 cm, finely to coarsely toothed, entire or shallowly lobed, usually lighter in colour beneath, with a matted, wooly hairiness, which varies considerably. 


Inflorescence
Branched inflorescence terminating in several 4-8-flowered pseudo-umbels. 


Sepals
Five, lanceolate.

Petals
Two posterior petals much larger than the three anterior ones. Posterior petals usually pink or purple with darker purple veins. Anterior petals are lighter in colour, usually without markings.

Stamens
7 fertile (4 long, 1 medium, 2 short).

Distribution


Habitat

A large flowering plant on Prince Alfred's Pass in the Eastern Cape, just north of Knysna. For tens of kilometers, the pass winds through narrow valleys and mountain ridges of the Outeniqua mountains, slowly progressing from the lush subtropical forests close to the Indian Ocean, to the dry Karoo vegetation on the other side. This should be a slow drive so that all this variety can be taken in.    
 
Illustration

Curtis's Botanical Magazine, 1791, Tab. 165.

Synonims
alneum Hoffmgg.
betulaefolium Schrank
cordatum L'Her.
dregeanum Turcz.
lanatum (Thunb.) DC. 
rubrocinctum Link