Pelargonium panduriforme Eckl. & Zeyh.

Pelargonium panduriforme is a shrub that is well branched and erect.  The young stems are considered to be soft and herbaceous but as the plant matures, the stem starts to develop a woody feature.  

The genus name for Pelargonium (pelargos – Greek) originates from the likeness of a fruit shape to shape of the beak from a stork. The species name of panduriforme refers to the leaf blades that are fiddle-shaped. The common names of this particular species refer to the leaf characteristics of its shape and the scent it produces.  

Leaves

Leaves are considered to be soft, sticky and hairy. The leaves do give off a smell when touched and that smell is described as balm-scented with a strong fragrance. The leaf margins are described as blades where their outline can be heart-shaped or fiddle-shaped. 

Flowers

Inflorescence is present on the plant where it is described by borne features that are shown on the flowering branches. The number of flowers present can form between two and twenty flowers and their colour is pale pink. The flowering time for this species is from August to January.  

Fruit

The fruit feature of the plant is considered to be dry and it breaks up into five ellipsoid parts. In each ellipsoid part, there is a corkscrew awn (stiff bristle) at the top that contains a seed. The awns on the top of each of the five ellipsoid parts are shown to be coiled in a spiral but only when the fruit breaks. This enables the ellipsoid parts of the fruit to bore and secure themselves into the soil. This will only happen if it is twisted around by the wind, changes in humidity conditions or by animal movements.

Insects 

The insects that are attracted to this flora species consists of butterflies, bees and other pollinating insects.

Interesting Facts:

The genus name for Pelargonium (pelargos – Greek) originates from the likeness of a fruit shape to shape of the beak from a stork.  The species name of panduriforme refers to the leaf blades that are fiddle-shaped.  The common names of this particular species refer to the leaf characteristics of its shape and the scent it produces.