No. 14 - Monsonia speciosa - Postcard Set of 10

Monsonia speciosa, sometimes known as the butterfly flower, is a perennial with a woody taproot in the Geranium family (Geraniaceae). It’s a summer dormant species that grows in clay and granite soils, characteristic of Renosterveld shrubland ecoregion.

In the last 80 years, it’s estimated that this species’ population has reduced over 50% due to agriculture and urban development. Recent research suggests that this species likely diverged from its most recent ancestor around 15 million years ago.