Supriya Ghosh (Editor)

Pelargonium odoratissimum

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Kingdom
  
Plantae

Family
  
Geraniaceae

Rank
  
Species

Order
  
Geraniales

Genus
  
Pelargonium

Pelargonium odoratissimum Geraniaceaecom Details of Pelargonium odoratissimum 39The Big Apple39

Similar
  
Pelargonium tomentosum, Pelargonium capitatum, Pelargonium crispum, Pelargonium radens, Pelargonium quercifolium

Pelargonium odoratissimum is a pelargonium species native to South Africa. It is also known as the ''apple geranium or apple pelargonium due to the distinct apple scent. It is in the subgenus reniforme along with Pelargonium sidoides and Pelargonium exstipulatum.

Contents

Pelargonium odoratissimum httpsuploadwikimediaorgwikipediacommonsthu

Etymology

Pelargonium comes from the Greek; Pelargos which means Stork. Another name for pelargoniums is storksbills due the shape of their fruit. Odoratissimum refers to the highly scented leaves.

Description

Pelargonium odoratissimum Pelargonium odoratissimum Useful Tropical Plants

Pelargonium odoratissimum is a small, spreading species which only grows up to 30 cm high and 60 cm wide. It has small pale pink flowers and its leaves are waxy, green and ovate.

Cultivars and Hybrids

There are quite a few cultivars and hybrids of Pelargonium odoratissimum. These cultivars and hybrids include:

Pelargonium odoratissimum FilePelargonium odoratissimum 03jpg Wikimedia Commons

  • Pelargonium odoratissimum 'Big Apple' - A variety of P.odoratissimum with larger leaves and a "Granny Smith" apple scent.
  • Pelargonium odoratissimum 'Fringed Apple' - A variety of P.odoratissimum with a slight hint of mint as well as apple fragrance.
  • Pelargonium x fragrans - A hybrid between P.odoratissimum and Pelargonium exstipulatum. It has spicy, eucalyptus scented leaves. A popular cultivar of this is P.'Old Spice' which smells as the name suggests; of Old Spice.
  • Pelargonium 'Lillan Pottinger' - A apple scented hybrid of P.odoratissimum and P.xfragrans.

    • Uses

    As well as being a wonderful houseplant or outdoor perennial depending on your climate, Pelargonium odoratissimum has another use. It is used for its astringent, tonic and antiseptic effects. It is used internally for debility, gastroenteritis, and hemorrhage and externally for skin complaints, injuries, and neuralgia and throat infections. The essential oil is used in aromatherapy and has a delicious apple aroma. It is also used to balance the hormonal system, menstrual flow, and clean the body of toxins.

    References

    Pelargonium odoratissimum Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA