Pelargonium australe
Austral Stork's Bill
Hairy perennial herb forming a clump, fleshy tap root.
Additional information
- FamilyGeraniaceae
- StoreyLower storey
- Size0.3-0.6 m x 0.3-1 m
- Plant groupingHerbs & Groundcovers <1m
- LeavesPairs of soft aromatic egg-shaped to round leaves to 9 cm across, velvety below, entire or shallowly 5-7- lobed, margins scalloped and often wavy, stalk to 13 cm long.
- Flower colourPink with crimson to purple markings
- Flowering timeOctober to March
- FlowersClusters of 6-12 5-petalled flowers, upper 2 petals with crimson to purple blotches or veins, on long stalks. Long spreading hairs on calyx.
- Bird attractingNo
- Butterfly attractingNo
- Frog habitatNo
- Growing conditionsWell drained soils, often on rocky hills. Frost tolerant. Full sun to dappled shade.
- Garden useAttractive plant for rockeries and cottage gardens. Tolerates dry conditions once established. May die back to rootstock in hot weather.
- Commercially availableAustralian plant & indigenous nurseries
- Conservation statusScattered distribution within the Shire. Not common. It is uncertain whether this species also occurs in plant communities Messmate Herb-rich Foothill Forest, Yellow Box Valley Grassy Forest or Buxton Gum Swampy Riparian Woodland.
- Related speciesSimilar to Pelargonium inodorum which is smaller in all features. It has tiny petals and is an annual or short-lived perennial.
Photo Gallery
Photographer/s: Marilyn Bull ©
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