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Kidney-leaved Pelargonium

Pelargonium reniforme

SA tree number

English: Kidney-leaved Pelargonium, Kidney Storksbill

Afrikaans: Rooirabas, Nierblaar, Rooirabassam

Xhosa: iYeza lesikhali, Ikubalo, Umsongelo

Zulu: Umhlaba

Synonyms, misapplied or old scientific names: Geranium reniforme

A soft, velvety carpet of grey-green leaves, shaped like kidneys, giving rise to delicate sprays of flowers. That's Pelargonium reniforme, commonly known as the Kidney-leaved Pelargonium. Its flowers, often a beautiful pink to purple, add a splash of colour and attract bees and other pollinators. This hardy little plant is a delight to discover, often growing in quite inhospitable conditions.

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Distinguishing features:

Leaves are kidney-shaped (reniform), soft to the touch, and grey-green in colour.
Flowers are borne in clusters (pseudoumbels) on stalks longer than the leaves.
Individual flowers have two upper petals that are often larger and darker than the three lower petals.
Petal colours range from pink to purple, sometimes with darker markings.
Stems are somewhat fleshy and can be upright or trailing.

Overall appearance:

A perennial herbaceous plant that can be somewhat sprawling or upright.

Height:

Typically grows to a height of 0.2 to 0.5 metres.

Width:

Can spread to about 0.5 metres or more, especially when sprawling.

Leaves:

The leaves are the most distinctive feature, being kidney-shaped (reniform), usually 2 to 5 cm wide. They are grey-green, have a velvety texture due to fine hairs, and the margins are often slightly lobed or scalloped. The leaves are aromatic when crushed, though the scent is not as strong as some other pelargoniums.

Flowers:

The flowers are borne in clusters called pseudoumbels, containing several individual flowers. The flower stalks (peduncles) are longer than the leaves. Each flower has five petals, with the two upper petals often larger and marked with darker lines or blotches than the three lower petals. The colour ranges from pale pink to deep purple.

Flowering season:

Flowers primarily from autumn to spring in South Africa (March to October), but sporadic flowering can occur throughout the year.

Fruits:

The fruit is a capsule, typical of pelargoniums, which splits open to release seeds. It has a characteristic 'stork's bill' shape.

Seeds:

The seeds are small and have a feathery tail (pappus) that aids in wind dispersal.

Stems:

Usually green and somewhat fleshy.

Roots:

Tuberous roots, which are the medicinally active part of the plant.

Soil type:

Prefers well-drained, sandy or loamy soils. It can tolerate poor soils and dry conditions.

Aspect:

Thrives in full sun but can also grow in semi-shade. Flowering is usually better in sunny positions.

Edibility:

The medicinally active ingredients are found in the bitter-tasting root. No information on general edibility other than medicinal preparation.

Toxicity:

The roots are bitter-tasting. While known for medicinal uses, internal consumption should be guided by traditional healers.

Uses:

Traditional Medicine: Known to generations of Khoi/San descendants and Xhosa traditional healers.
The bitter-tasting root (often called umckaloabo) is traditionally used for a range of therapeutic functions.
Used for stomach ailments, bronchitis, dysentery, and blood in stool.
Well known for its beneficial effect on liver functioning.
Research indicates potential for curing hepatic, gastrointestinal, and respiratory tract disorders, as well as wound healing.
Roots are usually boiled in milk, chewed, or ground into a powder and mixed with food.
Conservation Concern: Highly susceptible to over-harvesting due to its medicinal value, particularly as it is often collected alongside the similar Pelargonium sidoides. This harvesting, if unsustainable, contributes to soil erosion and reduces insect interaction.

Ecology:

The seed's coiled, feathered tail mechanism helps it to bore into the soil, aiding in successful germination.
Interacts with insects, likely for pollination, although specific pollinators are not detailed on SANBI for this species.

Distribution and habitat:

Endemic to South Africa.
Found in the Eastern Cape and Western Cape Provinces.
Occurs in dry coastal plains, Albany Arid Thicket, and Algoa Sandstone Fynbos.
Subspecies Pelargonium reniforme subsp. reniforme is specifically found from south of Steytlerville district to Port Elizabeth, Joubertina, and Humansdorp in the Eastern Cape.
The overall species extends from Knysna to Umtata.

Derivation of name:

The genus name Pelargonium comes from the Greek word 'pelargos', meaning 'stork', referring to the fruit's resemblance to a stork's beak.
The species name reniforme is Latin for 'kidney-shaped', referring to the shape of its leaves.
Afrikaans common name "rooirabas" means "red rabas," referring to the colour of the flowers and its medicinal properties.

Historical aspects:

Has been used medicinally by indigenous communities for generations.
The sale of this plant by rural inhabitants of the Eastern Cape has become widespread, raising concerns about unsustainable removal.
There are ongoing efforts to manage its populations by conservation authorities due to its link to soil erosion and minimized insect interaction from overharvesting.

Interesting facts:

This unassuming plant is a powerhouse in traditional medicine! Its roots have been used for centuries by indigenous communities to treat everything from stomach aches to bronchitis.
Don't be fooled by its delicate flowers; its seeds are ingenious little "drills"! They have a feathered, coiled tail that helps them bore into the soil when twisted by the wind, ensuring they get a good start in life.
Pelargonium reniforme is so similar to its cousin, Pelargonium sidoides, that they are often harvested together for medicinal purposes. This makes it tricky for botanists and conservationists to assess their individual populations accurately!

Growing tips:

Easy to propagate from cuttings at any time of the year, but preferably after flowering and seeding.
Take stem cuttings from healthy, vigorous plants. Using rooting hormone can speed up the process.
Place cuttings in river sand in a cold frame or cool, slightly shaded area, keeping the sand moist. Cuttings should root within 4 weeks.
Once rooted, pot into a well-drained, sandy medium and place in a sunny position. Water every third day.
Feed with a liquid organic fertilizer monthly during the growing period.
Plant in the garden once a strong root-ball has formed, choosing a sunny spot.
Seeds can be sown in late summer or early autumn in a light, well-drained seedling mix.
Sprinkle seeds evenly, cover with fine white sand or fine-milled pine bark, and water gently. Place in light shade. Germination usually occurs within 4 weeks.
Plants grown from seed are generally more vigorous but take longer to flower.

This plant is a fantastic alternative for:

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