Pelargonium peltatum Ait.   Geraniaceae (Geranium Family)   South Africa    Ivy Geranium

                                        May Photo

Plant Characteristics:  Plant weak, trailing, drooping or somewhat climbing; sts. 2-3 ft. or more long, glabrous or very nearly so: lvs. alternate, somewhat succulent, nearly orbicular, the petiole inserted within the margin, 2-3 in. across, shallowly 5-angle-lobed, the margin otherwise entire but ciliate, the stipules large and cordate-triangular;  fls. few or several in an umbel terminating a peduncle 3-8 in. long, pedicels pubescent and 1-1.5 in. long including the spur; corolla rose-carmine, about 1 in. long, the upper petals blotched and striped, 3 lower petals separated from the others.

Habitat:  An old window-garden plant and also now much modified; often runs to white and lilac races. (Bailey 597).  Escape from cultivation in the Upper Bay.  The bloom period is not listed in Bailey, however, it has been my observation that this species blooms year-round in this area.  (my comments).

Name:  Pelargo-nium, Greek, stork's bill, from the fruit.  (Bailey 597).  Greek, peltarion, a small shield.  (Jaeger 186).  Probably from the leaf shape.  (my comment).

General:  Uncommon in the study area, there are a few escapes along the bluff tops in developed areas.  The photographed plant is on the north facing bluff below Eastbluff and is surrounded with grasses that turn brown in the summer from lack of water.  It is possible that this plant has roots that reach far enough laterally to get water from the irrigation of the grass at the top of the bluff.  (my comment).       P. graveolens, is rose scented and used to flavor butter, apple pie, jellies and custards.  Layer cake is delicious with a few leaves of Rose Geranium placed in the bottom of the pans.  A favorite old-fashioned sachet is made from one part Rose Geranium and one part each of Lemon Verbena and Lavender.  P. crispum is lemon scented, P. limonium, is balm scented, P. odoratissimum is apple-like in fragrance, and P. tomentosum is peppermint scented.  (Meyer 108).       The identity of garden races is still in need of new investigation; some of these are undoubtedly the result of long hybridization and mutation; the cultivars are numerous.  More than 230 perennial herbs and subshrubs, mostly from South Africa, a number much grown for ornament. (Bailey 597). 

Text Ref:  Bailey 597; Hickman, Ed. 676.

Photo Ref: June 88 # 3A; Mar-May 90 # 20,21.

Identity: by R. De Ruff.

First Found:  June 1988.

Computer Ref:  Plant Data 355.

No plant specimen.

Last edit 12/18/03.

                                                  May Photo