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| Category: Succulent |
| Family: Geraniaceae (Geraniums) |
| Origin: South Africa (Africa) |
| Flower Color: White |
| Bloomtime: Spring/Summer |
| Height: 1-2 feet |
| Width: 1-2 feet |
| Exposure: Sun or Shade |
| Summer Dry: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 25-30° F |
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Pelargonium carnosum (Fleshy Stalk Pelargonium) - An interesting shrubby plant that grows 1 to 2 feet tall and spreading slightly wider, with thick succulent gray stems that snake about both upwards and down and are swollen (knotted) at the internodes and bearing toward their tips soft feathery deeply pinnatifid green leaves on long petioles. In early summer, as the plant is going dormant, appear the 1/2 inch wide white flowers with red exerted stigmas on branched upright peduncles that rise above the foliage. Plant in a pot or in the ground in full to part sun in a well-drained soil with some water. Has tolerated short duration temperatures of 25°F in our garden without damage but best in near frost free locations. This plant is a winter grower and will go semi-dormant in summer, so careful water management is crucial during the dormancy - can be watered sparingly through summer in pots so long as soil drains very well. A very interesting and attractive succulent germanium. The Pelargonium carnosum complex is spread over western South Africa and Namibia and this form, which hails northwestern South Africa, previously was called Pelargonium ferulaceum. It was combined into Pelargonium carnosum but it can still be found being grown under both names and some use Pelargonium carnosum subspecies ferulaceum. The older name "ferulaceum' comes from the Latin word 'ferula' meaning a "reed" or "stalk", likely in reference to the stalked flowers while the current epithet, "carnosum" is the Latin word for "fleshy' in reference to the thick succulent stems. Another very similar species in Pelargonium laxum which is distinguished by reflexed posterior (back folding) petals, nodding buds and very longe stamens.
The information on this page is based on research conducted in our nursery library and from online sources as well as from observations made of this plant as it grows in our nursery, in the nursery's garden and in other gardens that we have observed it in. We also will incorporate comments received from others and always appreciate getting feedback of any kind from those who have additional information, particularly if this information is contrary to what we have written or includes additional cultural tips that might aid others in growing Pelargonium carnosum.
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