Pelargonium Rapaceum. This plant comes from the Geraniaceae family, and is found all the way to the west coast of South Africa and grows between rocks in a well-drained soil with some water and plenty of sun. The caudex can grow up to 20 centimeters in diameter and the plant can grow up to 30 centimeters in height. The flowers are from white over cream to pink with reddish markings.
The genus name is Greek; pelargos ; 'stork' for the ripening fruit, which resembles the beaks of storks. The species name means 'like a turnip' for the root. This Pelargonium is a winter grower
Pelargonium Rapaceum is most widely distributed north from Richtersveld to Namaqualand, the Karoo, Eastern Cape and is very abundant in the Western Cape. The plants grow in a wide range of habitats in the Fynbos.
The large tubers are often roasted in hot ashes by locals and are very popular as a staple food in Namaqualand, hence the name
bergpatat and bergaartappel meaning 'mountain potato'