Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden, South Africa

Common name: kalwerbossie, fancy-leaf geranium, South African geranium, Khoara-e-nyenyane, Umckaloabo

Family: Geraniaceae (Geranium)

Distribution: South Africa (EC, FS, GA, KZN, MP, NW), Lesotho

Habitat: Dry and stony places in short grasslands

IUCN Red list: Not evaluated

National red list: Least Concern

Life form: Herbaceous perennial

Comments: This is a widespread and common plant in Southern Africa. For hundreds of years the Zulu, Basuto, Xhosa and Mfengu cultures have used Pelargonium sidoides as a curative for coughs, upper respiratory tract irritations and gastrointestinal concerns.It is quite an important medicinal plant that is exported internationally for the herbal medicine trade. It is mainly harvested for its tubers, from which extracts are made to treat sore throats, bronchitis and congestion. It is, for example, an active ingredient in the commonly used effervescent tablet Linctagon-C, which is used to relieve the symptoms of colds and flu.