Hi Zosterops. I'm now taking you up on your offer!
I've removed this plant from my garden, disobeying the cardinal rule of bushcare: if you don't know what it is then don't pull it out. However, I think there are still root remnants which are likely to shoot if we ever get rain again. From your vast store of plant knowledge do you know if this is a native or introduced species?
Many thanks.
Woko,
Looks like you have a variety of Pelargonium quercifolium - 'oak leaf pelargonium', a South African species, however the group appear to be highly variable and been extensively hybridised.
Note Pelargonium spp. are often confused with Geranium spp., both are indeed members of the Geraniaceae family, however the former have zygomorphic flowers (bilateral symmetry - with the two top petals different in shape and arrangement to the lower) and the latter actinomorphic (radial symmetry - with all five petals the same).
Great description. Thanks, zosterops. I'll keep my eyes open for any root shootings.
There is a native geranium, Geranium solanderi, which is very common at my place, a troublesome weed in my garden, also there is the introduced Geranium molle. Most native geraniums have a thick turnip like root, so if you aren't sure pull it out and see if it has a turnip root.
Geranium mole is an introduced species, I believe, Greg. There's also Geranium retrorsum which is a native herb. I have both, the latter gradually moving down a gully which runs into my place. I'm not sure yet what advantage either of these species has for birds.
Apparently the roots of some native Geranium species were a food source for some Aboriginal groups.
Cockatoos are reputed to feed on the seeds and tubers of some species.
Also the related Erodium spp., both native and introduced species are popular fare with galahs, corellas etc.
Ah, hah! Thanks, zosterops. I'll keep my eyes open for bird feeding around the places where the geraniums grow.