hardened spiney petioles GetW

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Persistent spiny thick hardened petioles on some Pelargoniums should be enough to delight the eye of not only the odd plant fan but even the ardent cactus spine fancier.  The four pellys for GetW that I'll mention today happen to be from section Ligularia even though the spiney petioles are not necessarily a section characteristic.

 

Pelargonium crassipes http://www.connectexpress.com/~pliekkio/pcrasip.jpg

A small shrublet from the Succulent Karoo.  This winter grower has exceptionally large persistent spine like petioles.  Its small size and heavy armor make it attractive to my eye.  This one is easy from seed.

 

Pelargonium hystrix http://www.connectexpress.com/~pliekkio/phystrix.jpg

Hystrichos is greek for a porcupine.  This dwarf species has light colored persistent stipules on a dark body.  Really pretty!  P. hystrix is known from only four localities from Calvin and to the north.  The mostly winter rainfall is under one inch per year.  This species is rather uncommon and really needs to have well drained mix.

 

Pelargonium torulosum http://www.connectexpress.com/~pliekkio/ptorul.jpg

This species is not mentioned in the VanderWalt volumes but it is smilar in a subtle way to P. hystrix that I presume it is in section Ligularia.  Anyone know for sure?  Low growing in  series of short growth giving the appearance of a series of beads.  From Cape provence, Klipplaat, Sutherland.

 

Pelargonium pulchellum (dormant with growth just starting)

(in active growth) http://www.connectexpress.com/~pliekkio/ppulchel2.jpg

Short, thick, spiney, semisucculent stems make this a particularly attractive species.  From Namaqualand this species wants winter sun and good drainage.  This one's beautiful even when dormant.

 

Keep Growing
Pete Liekkio
Seattle, Washington
p*@connectexpress.com
www.conectexpress.com\~pliekkio