The plant is named after Dr. H.H.W. Pearson, the first director of Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, who first collected the plant in 1910.
Tshimela tsho riniwa dzina ḽi tshi bva kha Dr. H.H.W. Pearson, director wa u tou thoma wa Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, we a thoma u hwala hetshi tshimela nga 1910.