Flora of New Zealand Series

regal pelargonium

Erect aromatic subshrub to c. 1 m tall. Young stems and petioles ± densely white-pilose. Stipules ± ovate, acuminate or cuspidate. Lvs with lower petioles to c. 15 cm long. Lamina to c. 10-(16) × 12-(18) cm (much smaller in upper cauline lvs), triangular to broad-ovate and reniform, hairy at least below, sometimes densely pilose, without a dark band above, coarsely and sharply toothed and often lobulate, less often deeply 3-lobed; base shallowly cordate to truncate. Umbels few-flowered, densely white-pilose, eglandular; peduncles often long; pedicel ?-1/2 length of calyx spur. Sepals 1.5-2.2 cm long, lanceolate, moderately to densely white-pilose, often purple; calyx spur 4-8 mm long. Corolla somewhat irregular; petals imbricate with background colour white to rose or mauve; upper 2 petals larger, 1.5-4.3 × 1.5-3.6 cm; limb ± suborbicular, slightly asymmetric, always with large dark crimson or purplish markings and central blotch. Style and stigmas the same colour as basic colour of corolla. Mericarps not seen.

N.: Ninety Mile Beach (N. Auckland), Rangitoto Id.

Cultivated hybrid 1988

Coastal sites on old sand dunes, sheltered beaches, on lava and north-facing cliffs.

FL Jan-Dec.

Regal pelargonium is abundantly cultivated in coastal and warmer inland areas. This complex hybrid is derived from at least 3 spp. and there are many cvs. In N.Z. some of the common cvs show a strong influence of P. cucullatum (L.) Aiton. which is said to be the principal sp. involved; others are P. betulinum (L.) L'Hér. and P. grandiflorum (Andrews) Willd.