The shrubby growth habit of Pelargonium fruticosum justifies as its specific name the epithet fruticosum, which means shrubby or bushy in Latin.

The pointy, much divided leaves look more like parsley than pelargonium, although the pungent scent is a give-away!  Although the young plant only gets established well when adequate water is available, it is hardy once a mature member of the fynbos community. The delicate leaves of this small shrub are sometimes browsed by animals.