Pelargonium inodorum Willd.

About Pelargonium inodorum Willd.

Pelargonium inodorum Willd. is a perennial or short-lived aromatic herb that grows up to 35 cm (14 in) tall. It is covered in soft hairs and has thick taproots. Its leaves are arranged oppositely, and range in shape from oval to heart-shaped. They measure 1–4 cm (0.39–1.57 in) long and 1–5 cm (0.39–1.97 in) wide, and occasionally have 5 to 7 rounded lobes. The upper leaf surface may be smooth, or both leaf surfaces may have sparse occasional hairs. Leaves grow on petioles that are 1–5 cm (0.39–1.97 in) long.

Flowers grow in clusters of 3 to 14, borne on a peduncle 3–8 cm (1.2–3.1 in) long. Pedicels are 1–3 mm (0.039–0.118 in) long, and become larger when the plant is fruiting. The petals are pink, with darker purple or pink markings, and measure 2–4 mm (0.079–0.157 in) long. Calyx lobes are also 2–4 mm (0.079–0.157 in) long. Flowering occurs mostly in summer. The fruit is a schizocarp 10–14 mm (0.39–0.55 in) long, covered in soft, thin, separated hairs.

This species, commonly called wild pelargonium, is widespread. It grows in habitats ranging from moist low-lying areas to montane woodlands, and is found in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and the Australian Capital Territory in Australia.