:Common Name

Rasp-leaf pelargonium

:Scientific Name

:Introduction

Pelargonium radens, commonly known as the rasp-leaf pelargonium, is a species within the genus Pelargonium. It belongs to the subgenus Pelargonium, which also includes related species such as Pelargonium crispum and Pelargonium tomentosum.

: Details

Pelargonium radens is a robust, evergreen perennial plant that typically attains a height of up to 1.5 m. It possesses strongly dissected, triangular leaves that emit a characteristic fragrance and display a grayish-green hue. Flowering occurs during the summer months, producing compact inflorescences composed of small blossoms ranging in color from soft pink to purplish tones. These flowers give rise to brownish seeds distinguished by elongated, spirally coiled appendages that aid in dispersal. The species is indigenous to the southern and eastern Cape regions of South Africa, where it thrives in sheltered ravines, narrow gorges, and along stream banks, as well as within shrub-dominated vegetation on mountainous terrain. Its natural habitats are typically characterized by well-drained soils and moderate moisture availability, conditions that support its perennial growth and aromatic foliage.