Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden, South Africa

Common name: gaping storksbill

Family: Geraniaceae (Geranium)

Distribution: Western Cape

Habitat: well-drained sandstone slopes

IUCN Red list: Not evaluated

National red list: Least Concern

Life form: Shrub / sub-shrub

Comments: This is a small shrub with succulent-like leaves that often have wine-red zonation. It only occurs in the Western Cape mountains, but within this range it is widespread and common. This species has three varieties which are distinguished from each other by differences in their flowers and leaves as well as their geographical distribution. It occurs as a sprawling shrublet sometimes reaching 50 cm in height, growing from a thickened tuberous root. The trailing branches are soft and slender. The habitat is sandstone slopes in fynbos, often in shade. It grows in abundance after veld fires or other habitat disturbances as a pioneer species.