Pelargonium drummondii facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pelargonium drummondii |
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| P. drummondii from The Botanical Magazine | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Pelargonium
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| Species: |
drummondii
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Pelargonium drummondii is a special type of plant, a species of Pelargonium. You can find it growing along the southern coasts of Western Australia.
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About This Plant
Pelargonium drummondii is a plant that lives for many years. It can grow as a straight-up or slightly sprawling bush, usually between 100 to 400 millimeters (about 4 to 16 inches) tall.
What It Looks Like
Its flowers are a pretty light pink color. They have darker spots and veins in the middle, making them look unique. The leaves are generally large, round, and a bit heart-shaped. They are also succulent, meaning they are thick and can store water.
How It's Different
This plant is similar to another common Australian plant called Pelargonium australe. However, P. drummondii has a clear, branching stem that lasts year after year. P. australe usually doesn't have such a stem. When the plants are young, it can be hard to tell them apart just by looking.
Naming the Plant
The plant was first officially described by a scientist named Nikolai Turczaninow in a science journal. The first sample of the plant was collected by James Drummond. That's why the plant was named drummondii after him!
This plant is native to Western Australia, meaning it naturally grows there. It's one of several Pelargonium types found in the area. Another similar plant, P. capitatum, also grows in many parts of Southwest Australia. However, P. capitatum originally came from South Africa and was brought to Australia after British settlers arrived.
Where It Grows
You can find Pelargonium drummondii along the rocky, granite coasts and on granite hills (called inselbergs) in Southwest Australia. It grows from the Esperance Plains in the east all the way to Cape Naturaliste in the west.
Plant Family
Scientists have placed this plant in the group called Pelargonium drummondii. Sometimes, it has also been described as a subspecies, which is a group within a species.
- Pelargonium australe subsp. drummondii (Turcz.) Hellbrugge ms
