Pelargonium graveolens#Uses

Pelargonium comes from the Greek πελαργός pelargos which means stork. Another name for pelargoniums is stork's-bills due to the shape of their fruit.{{sfn|Dillenius|1732|loc=[http://bibdigital.rjb.csic.es/ing/Libro.php?Libro=1386&Pagina=280 De Geraniorum Differentiis]}}{{sfn|Boddy|2013|loc=[https://books.google.com/books?id=24eoWcnoyfcC&pg=PR2 Introduction p. 11]}} The specific epithet graveolens refers to the strong-smelling leaves.J. D. Douglas and Merrill C. Tenney {{google books|8Tq7UcPMwacC|Zondervan Illustrated Bible Dictionary|page=1150}}

Pelargonium graveolens is also known by taxonomic synonyms Geranium terebinthinaceum Cav. and Pelargonium terebinthinaceum (Cav.) Desf. "Rose geranium" is sometimes used to refer to Pelargonium incrassatum (Andrews) Sims or its synonym Pelargonium roseum (Andrews) DC. – the herbal name.[http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Pelargonium+incrassatum "Pelargonium incrassatum"]. Plants For A Future. Accessed June 23, 2007. Commercial vendors often list the source of geranium or rose geranium essential oil as Pelargonium graveolens, regardless of its botanical name.

Pelargonium graveolens is an erect, aromatic, multi-branched subshrub, that grows up to 1.5 m and has a spread of 1 m. The leaves are deeply incised, velvety and soft to the touch (due to glandular hairs). The above-ground parts of the plant are more or less hairy and glandular. The alternately arranged leaves are divided into petioles and leaf blades. The leaf blade is soft, heart-shaped and palmately divided, blunt with lobed to coarsely toothed leaf lobes. The natural form smells of mint. Some cultivars have a scent similar to rose petals, although the leaf shape and scent vary (others have little or no scent). Some leaves are deeply incised and others less so,S. L. Kochhar {{google books|2ahsDQAAQBAJ|Economic Botany (2016)|page=597}} being slightly lobed like P. capitatum. The flowers vary from pale pink to almost white which appear from late winter to summer, peaking in spring.[https://pza.sanbi.org/pelargonium-graveolens Pelargonium graveolens L'Heritier] by [[

South African National Biodiversity Institute]]

It is native to Mozambique and Zimbabwe in southern, tropical Africa, and South Africa (Cape Province, Transvaal). Pelargoniums have been cultivated in South Africa and Namibia for at least 200 years. The plant is also found in the Canary Islands, Corsica, Costa Rica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, southwestern Mexico, and Puerto Rico, where it has been introduced.

Many plants are cultivated under the species name "Pelargonium graveolens" but differ from wild specimens as they are of hybrid origin (probably a cross between P. graveolens, P. capitatum and/or P. radens). There are many cultivars and they have a wide variety of scents, including rose, citrus, mint and cinnamon as well as various fruits. Cultivars and hybrids include:

• P. 'Graveolens' (or Pelargonium graveolens hort.) - A rose-scented cultivar; possibly a hybrid between P. graveolens and P. radens or P. capitatum.{{cite journal |last1=Demarne |first1=F. |last2=van der Walt |first2=J.J.A. |title=Origin of the rose-scented Pelargonium cultivar grown on Réunion Island |journal=South African Journal of Botany |date=April 1989 |volume=55 |issue=2 |pages=184–191 |doi=10.1016/S0254-6299(16)31205-4 |doi-access=free }} This cultivar is often incorrectly labeled as Pelargonium graveolens (the species).{{Cite web |title=Pelargonium graveolens Rose Geranium, Sweet scented geranium PFAF Plant Database |url=https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Pelargonium+graveolens |access-date=2022-06-08 |website=pfaf.org}} The main difference between the species and this cultivar is the dissection of the leaf.{{fact|date=September 2024}} The species' has about 5 lobes but the cultivar has about 10.
• P. 'Citrosum' - A lemony, citronella-scented cultivar, similar to P. 'Graveolens'.{{Cite web |title=Pelargoniums: An Herb Society of America Guide |url=https://www.herbsociety.org/file_download/inline/2b2f9fc8-e827-446c-99da-1c1e8b6559d0 |journal=}} It is meant to repel mosquitos and rumour has it that it was made by genetically bonding genes from the citronella grass but this is highly unlikely.{{Cite web |title=Mosquito Repellent Plants |url=https://hortnews.extension.iastate.edu/1993/5-26-1993/plant.html |access-date=2022-06-08 |website=hortnews.extension.iastate.edu |language=en}}
• P. 'Cinnamon Rose' - A cinnamon-scented cultivar.{{Cite web |last=Shoot |title=Ocimum basilicum 'Cinnamon' Sweet basil Common basil Cinnamon basil Care Plant Varieties & Pruning Advice |url=http://www.shootgardening.co.uk/plant/ocimum-basilicum-cinnamon |access-date=2022-05-04 |website=www.shootgardening.co.uk |language=en}}
• P. 'Dr Westerlund' - A lemony rose-scented cultivar, similar to P. 'Graveolens'.{{Cite web |last=Varney |first=Bill |date=2012-05-29 |title=Scented Geranium |url=https://www.urbanherbal.com/scented-geranium/ |access-date=2022-05-04 |website=URBANherbal |language=en-US}}
• P. 'Graveolens Bontrosai' - A genetically challenged form; the leaves are smaller and curl back on themselves and the flowers often do not open fully. Known as P. 'Colocho' in the US.{{Cite web |title=Trichostema dichotomum (Blue Curls, Common Blue-curls, Forked Bluecurls) {{!}} North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox |url=https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/trichostema-dichotomum/ |access-date=2022-05-04 |website=plants.ces.ncsu.edu}}
• P. 'Grey Lady Plymouth' Gary Allen {{google books|Fniv9ShKmxcC|The Herbalist in the Kitchen|page=175}}- A lemony rose-scented cultivar similar to P. 'Lady Plymouth'. The leaves are grey–green in colour.{{Cite web |date=2021-10-11 |title=Scented Leaf Pelargoniums: All you need to know and more |url=https://maringarden.org/scented-leaf-pelargoniums-all-you-need-to-know-and-more/ |access-date=2022-06-08 |website=Marin Art and Garden Center |language=en-US}}
• P. 'Lady Plymouth' - A minty lemony rose-scented cultivar. A very popular variety with a definite mint scent. Possibly a P. radens hybrid.{{cite journal |last1=Bergman |first1=Matthew E |last2=Chávez |first2=Ángel |last3=Ferrer |first3=Albert |last4=Phillips |first4=Michael A |title=Distinct metabolic pathways drive monoterpenoid biosynthesis in a natural population of Pelargonium graveolens |journal=Journal of Experimental Botany |date=January 2020 |volume=71 |issue=1 |pages=258–271 |doi=10.1093/jxb/erz397 |pmc=6913739 |pmid=31504760 }}
• P. 'Lara Starshine' - A lemony rose-scented cultivar, similar to P. 'Graveolens' but with more lemony scented leaves and reddish pink flowers. Bred by Australian plantsman Cliff Blackman.{{Cite book |url=http://archive.org/details/journalofhorticu1873lond |title=The Journal of horticulture, cottage gardener and country gentlemen |date=1861 |publisher=London : George W. Johnson and Robert Hogg |others=LuEsther T. Mertz Library New York Botanical Garden}}
• P. 'Lucaeflora' - A rose-scented variety, much more similar to the species than most other cultivars and varieties.{{Cite web |title=15 Recommended Rose Varieties |url=https://www.thespruce.com/types-of-roses-4069722 |access-date=2022-05-04 |website=The Spruce |language=en}}
• P. × melissinum - The lemon balm pelargonium (lemon balm - Melissa officinalis). This is a hybrid between P. crispum and P. graveolens.{{Cite web |title=Herbs in Southern Gardens {{!}} UGA Cooperative Extension |url=https://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=B1170&title=Herbs%20in%20Southern%20Gardens |access-date=2022-05-04 |website=extension.uga.edu}}
• P. 'Mint Rose' - A minty rose-scented cultivar similar to P. 'Lady Plymouth' but without the variegation of the leaves and lemony undertones.{{Cite web |date=1992-08-15 |title=GARDENING : Geraniums Make Perfect Scents |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-08-15-hm-4860-story.html |access-date=2022-05-04 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}
• P. 'Secret Love' - An unusual eucalyptus-scented cultivar with pale pink flowers.{{Cite web |last=no_name12 |date=2020-10-08 |title=Types of Eucalyptus Trees: Leaves, Flowers, Bark (Pictures) |url=https://leafyplace.com/eucalyptus-tree/ |access-date=2022-05-04 |website=Leafy Place |language=en-US}}
• P. 'Van Leeni' - A lemony rose-scented cultivar, similar to P. 'Graveolens' and P. 'Dr Westerlund'.{{Cite web |date=2021-06-23 |title=15 of the Best Scented Geranium Varieties {{!}} Gardener's Path |url=https://gardenerspath.com/plants/flowers/best-scented-geranium-varieties/ |access-date=2022-05-04 |website=Gardener's Path |language=en-US}}

Others known: Camphor Rose, Capri, Granelous and Little Gem.

Image:GeraniumEssOil.png

Both the true species and the cultivated plant may be called rose geranium{{Cite web |title=Geranium (Pelargonium) {{!}} San Diego Zoo Animals & Plants |url=https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/plants/geranium-pelargonium |access-date=2022-06-08 |website=animals.sandiegozoo.org}} – pelargoniums are often called geraniums, as they fall within the plant family Geraniaceae, and were previously classified in the same genus. The common P. 'Graveolens' or P. 'Rosat' has great importance in the perfume industry. It is cultivated on a large scale and its foliage is distilled for its scent. Pelargonium distillates and absolutes, commonly known as "geranium oil", are sold for aromatherapy and massage therapy applications.Georges M. Halpern and Peter Weverka {{google books|595byAiZLygC|The Healing Trail: Essential Oils of Madagascar (2003)|pg=64}} They are also sometimes used to supplement or adulterate more expensive rose oils. As a flavoring, the flowers and leaves are used in cakes, jams, jellies, ice creams, sorbets, salads, sugars,{{cite web|url=http://www.theepicentre.com/Spices/scentedgeranium.html|title=Scented Geranium|work=The Epicentre|access-date=14 January 2016}} and teas. In addition, it is used as a flavoring agent in some pipe tobaccos, being one of the characteristic "Lakeland scents."

Rose geranium, known as Mâatercha or Ätarcha {{Cite book |last=Noramine |first=Khalil |title=Medicinal and Edible Plants of Morocco |date=2023 |asin=B0CJBR8YVJ |pages=21 }}{{self-published inline|date=September 2024}} in Morocco, is used as a flavorful herb to complement spearmint tea. It is often added alongside spearmint or other minty herbs to enhance the overall flavor profile of the tea, adding a floral and aromatic note to the brew.{{fact|date=September 2024}}

In Cyprus, where it is known as {{lang|el-Latn|kiouli}}, it is used to flavour and scent the sugar syrup in apricot preserves, known as {{lang|el-Latn|glyko tou koutaliou hrisomilo}}.{{citation needed|date=April 2024}}

A modern analysis listed the presence of over 50 organic compounds in the essential oil of P. graveolens from an Australian source.{{cite journal |last1=Shellie |first1=Robert A. |last2=Marriott |first2=Philip J. |title=Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of Pelargonium graveolens essential oil using rapid scanning quadrupole mass spectrometry |journal=The Analyst |date=2003 |volume=128 |issue=7 |pages=879–883 |doi=10.1039/b304371a |bibcode=2003Ana...128..879S }} Analyses of Indian geranium oils indicated a similar phytochemical profile,{{cite book |doi=10.1007/978-3-030-16546-8_12 |chapter=The Phytochemical Composition, Biological Effects and Biotechnological Approaches to the Production of High-Value Essential Oil from Geranium |title=Essential Oil Research |date=2019 |last1=Narnoliya |first1=Lokesh Kumar |last2=Jadaun |first2=Jyoti Singh |last3=Singh |first3=Sudhir P. |pages=327–352 |isbn=978-3-030-16545-1 }} and showed that the major constituents (in terms of % composition) were citronellol + nerol and geraniol.{{cite journal |last1=Jain |first1=Neetu |last2=Aggarwal |first2=K. K. |last3=Syamasundar |first3=K. V. |last4=Srivastava |first4=S. K. |last5=Kumar |first5=Sushil |title=Essential oil composition of geranium (Pelargonium sp.) from the plains of Northern India |journal=Flavour and Fragrance Journal |date=January 2001 |volume=16 |issue=1 |pages=44–46 |doi=10.1002/1099-1026(200101/02)16:1<44::AID-FFJ943>3.0.CO;2-X }}{{cite journal |last1=Gupta |first1=Ritika |last2=Mallavarapu |first2=G. R. |last3=Banerjee |first3=S. |last4=Kumar |first4=Sushil |title=Characteristics of an isomenthone-rich somaclonal mutant isolated in a geraniol-rich rose-scented geranium accession of Pelargonium graveolens |journal=Flavour and Fragrance Journal |date=September 2001 |volume=16 |issue=5 |pages=319–324 |doi=10.1002/ffj.1002 }}

Image:Rose Geranium - cluster.jpg|The flower cluster of cultivated P. 'Graveolens'

Image:Pelargonium graveolens and bee.jpg|A bee on a flower cluster of cultivated P. 'Graveolens'

Image:Pelargonium 'Lady Plymouth'.JPG|At Ryton Organic Gardens, near Rugby, Warwickshire.

Image:Geranium1.JPG|Pelargonium 'Graveolens' leaf

Image:Pelargonium 'Mint Rose'.JPG|An adult Pelargonium 'Mint Rose' at Ryton Organic Gardens, near Rugby, Warwickshire

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{{Commons|Pelargonium graveolens}}

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graveolens

Category:Medicinal plants

Category:Perfume ingredients

Category:Essential oils

Category:Flora of Mozambique

Category:Flora of Zimbabwe

Category:Flora of the Cape Provinces

Category:Flora of the Northern Provinces

Category:Crops originating from South Africa

Category:Taxa named by Charles Louis L'Héritier de Brutelle