Pelargonium incrassatum
The genusPelargoniumis largely South African , with more that 80 pct of the 270 coinage found on the continent . Without operate into the details of the differences between the name Geranium and Pelargonium , for those newer to plants and taxonomy , a soft monitor that Pelargonium , what I am pen about here , is the genus encompasing the crimson ‘ geranium ’ of Memorials and windowboxes,’and must not be disconcert with the Genus Geranium , the familiar and voguish Cranesbills , the hardy garden perennial . The coinage you will see here are about as far away one can get from the red geranium from the cemetary and still regard a PelargoniumPelargonium auritum
Of the 270 species of Pelargonium , many are divers whihc we are already familiar with , such as the scented geraniums , but by far the most unknown and the most interesting are these , the geophytic and tuberous shape , jointly known as theSection Hoarea Pelargoniums . P. crithmifolium
These curious Pelargoniums appear nothing like thier over hybridized cousins , yet they still have some characteristics familiar to the eyes of the more penetrative gardener . I commend my female parent telling me that in the 1940 ’s they could pull up thier Red Geraniums , and give ear them bare - root in the tooth root root cellar , where thier overweight thick stems would deem water and in spring , replant them . This water - storring capability is a trait which many African plants demo , many Section Hoarea Pelargoniums have tater - like reed organ , or woody Daucus carota sativa - like fore , and some even have blockheaded sarcoid leaves . These are indeed some of South Africa ’s rare plant , and of late becoming highly collectable amongst those who not only compile Caudex plants , but with those who wish strange and unusual specimen . Generally , these are not considered pretty plants by today garden center - supertunia - standards .
P. echinatum
A more geophytic pelargonium , which may be more “ growable ’ for the founder is this jewel , P. echinatum . Its gray foliage and showing blossom are much cosmetic , well , as ornamental as these species can get . It is safe to state that if you are not a coinnoisseur of plant , you may find these species a bit unattractive , “ moderately ’ is rarely attached to any of these pelargoniums . They are the less - attractive cousins to the Geranium . My blood brother laugh when I show him my Section Horeas Pelargonium in the winter , with thier twisted bare barbellate root word and three leaves , as I exciteldy full stop to a skinny sparse single stem with five barelt noticable bud on it . One wonders why we are attracted to the unusual , when others clearly do n’t see the magic .
Pelargonium crithmifoliumis another species with less noticable flowers ( as if the others are showy ! ) but the foliage is beautifully detailed with thickset bulging stems . This is a species which can be well grown on a cheery windowsill in the winter .
genus Pelargonium auritumis a truthful Section Hoarea specie , with the classical habit of proceed abeyant half the year , and then post out leafage in the gloaming , and bloom in the spring before entering dormancy again . Teh almost disgraceful heyday and tiny , and the industrial plant itself is no taller than six inch , as many of these Hoarea are .
If you are interested in attempting or collecting any of these noteworthy plants , a handsome collection can be started , since they are highly collectable and choice . As it is with many of these types of plant , they are very hard to find . The rarefied forms can easily be grow from cum however , and there are two very good beginning for seed ( and occaisionally plants ) , yet newer restrictions are make importing seeded player more difficult , I did order some this past fall , all have evolve in two hebdomad . seminal fluid can be ordered fromPenrock Seed , in South Africa , and , B&T World Seedsin France . Both are reliable and provide first-class sweet seeded player and collect responsibly . P. echinatumspending some meter in the unmediated spring sun . This is perhaps the penny-pinching in appearance to the more common Pelargoniums which you may hump .
I advance anyone looking for something unlike to prove these more interesting Pelargoniums , they are completely growable indoors , yet I grow ours in a greenhouse , I had hold many metal money indoors in sunny window . Other geophytic species can be institute at Logee ’s Greenhouses in Connecticut ( but call them , since they do not list these on - tune or in thier catalog . They bear P. echinatum and P. crithmifolim , as well as a twain other species ) .
P. appendiculatumis a very unusual tiny works in the Section Horea , with denst furred leaves produce from a woody stock stem which looks like a carrot .
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