A new pelargonium species has been discovered in the Richtersveld by Pieter van Wyk, who is the curator of the |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park and Desert Botanical Garden and Nursery. Pelargonium is a genus of flowering plants that includes about 280 species of perennials, succulents, and shrubs commonly called geraniums, pelargoniums, or storksbills. Van Wyk says the flowers of the newly discovered species are giant, “the largest in the genus I have ever seen in the Richtersveld region”. This species grows in deep red dune sand about 30 km south of Alexander Bay. Van Wyk has collected cuttings for ex situ conservation purposes to grow at the transfrontier park’s nursery. Genevieve Maasdorp, communications manager for Arid Parks at SANParks, says the species is not named yet as it was only recently found.Photo: Supplied/SANParks


Excites as a new discovery

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