Photo by Vered A. Mann.

This column is with wild plants.

This is something else. Any guesses are appreciated!

This is something else. Any guesses are appreciated!

This member of the Geraniaceae family was given this name by Moritz Kurt Dinter in 1926. It is found in the western South Africa, growing in grit or sand with little water and lots of sun. The stems will grow up to four centimetres in diameter and the whole plant can raise to 30 centimetres. The flowers are pale and dark pink.

The genera name from Greek; pelargos; 'stork' for the ripening fruits, which resembles the bills of storks. The species name means 'remarkable' as the flowers are.

This is a winter-grower.

The photos on this page is of both P. mirabile and P. crassicaule. Not much resemblance, but Professor Merxmuller was clearly of the view that they were synonymous and Professor van der Walt followed that view. On the other hand, John Lavranos disagree. Looking at the photos underneath, I will say there is a clear difference in appearance of the stem.

A pair of P. mirabile and  P. crassicaule, showing significantly difference in growing form
 by Vered A. Mann.

A pair of P. mirabile and  P. crassicaule, showing significantly difference in growing form
 by Vered A. Mann.

Photo by Vered A. Mann. If P. mirablie and P. crassicaule are different species, this is P. crassicaule.

Photo by Vered A. Mann. If P. mirablie and P. crassicaule are different species, this is P. crassicaule.

P. crassicaule, photo by Vered A. Mann.

P. crassicaule, photo by Vered A. Mann.

P. crassicaule, photo by Vered A. Mann.

P. crassicaule, photo by Vered A. Mann.