A taxonomic revision of the type section of Pelargonium L’Hérit. (Geraniaceae)

Abstract

Twenty four species are recognized in this taxonomic treatment of the section Pelargonium which was last revised by Knuth in 1912, Most species occur in the south-western, southern and eastern Cape where they usually grow in rather moist, semi-shaded habitats, A key to the identification o f the species has been compiled, and at least one illustration as well as a distribution map is presented for each species. The section is considered to be the most primitive section of the genus with a basic chromosome number of x = 11.