The generic name Pelargonium in scientific Latin derives from the Greek pelargós (πελαργός), which means the stork and the shape of their fruit evoking the beak of the wader.

The Pelargonium inquinans was grown in the garden of the Bishop of London, Henry Compton, an admirer of exotic plants.

In the wild, Pelargonium inquinans is a small shrub, about 2 m tall, branched, with young succulent twigs becoming woody with age, bearing red glandular hairs.

The evergreen leaves, borne by long petioles, are orbicular (like Pelargonium × hortorum but without dark markings), incised in 5 to 7 crenate lobes, with a viscous pubescence, giving a cottony appearance to both sides.

The pericardial fruit is composed of 5 capsules terminated by a long, hairy, twisted curl at maturity.