Horseshoe Geranium

The horseshoe geranium (Pelargonium zonale) is a plant in the family Geraniaceae. The genus Pelargonium contains about 280 species, often mistaken as belonging to the genus Geranium (as the vernacular name of Pelargonium zonale suggests…) It is widely popular for the decorative qualities of its flowers, which form clusters ranging from white to deep red.

Pelargoniums are native to south Africa, and were introduced in Europe in the eighteenth century. Many garden geraniums grown today are hybrids derived, among others, from Pelargonium zonale.

The caption reads in the original French: Pelargonium à fleurs zonées (Pelargonium zonale).