Pelargonium odoratissimum

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Pelargonium odoratissimum
Pelargonium odoratissimum 001.JPG
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Geraniales
Family: Geraniaceae
Genus: Pelargonium
Subgenus: Pelargonium subg. Reniformia
Species:
P. odoratissimum
Binomial name
Pelargonium odoratissimum
(L.) L'Hér.

Pelargonium odoratissimum is a pelargonium species native to South Africa. [1] [2] 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

Etymology

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

Description

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:

Uses

As well as being a houseplant or outdoor perennial depending on climate, Pelargonium odoratissimum other uses. 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.

In Cyprus the leaves are used to flavour cake and pastry syrups. It also sometimes preserved and eaten as a spoon sweet (glyko tou koutaliou).

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<i>Pelargonium tomentosum</i> Species of flowering plant

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<i>Pelargonium <span style="font-style:normal;">×</span> fragrans</i> Species of flowering plant

Pelargonium × fragrans is a pelargonium hybrid between Pelargonium odoratissimum and Pelargonium exstipulatum. It is in the subgenus Reniforme along with Pelargonium sidoides and Pelargonium abrotanifolium.

<i>Pelargonium exstipulatum</i> Species of flowering plant

Pelargonium exstipulatum is a pelargonium species native to South Africa. It is in the subgenus Reniforme along with Pelargonium odoratissimum and Pelargonium sidoides.

<i>Pelargonium cordifolium</i> Species of flowering plant

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<i>Pelargonium album</i> Species of flowering plant

Pelargonium album is a species of flowering plant of the genus Pelargonium. This species is native to South Africa. It is an apple/mint scented pelargonium which is very closely related to Pelargonium odoratissimum. It is in the subgenus reniforme along with Pelargonium sidoides and P. exstipulatum.

References

  1. Khalid, Khalid A.; Teixeira da Silva, Jaime A.; Cai, Weiming (2010-06-03). "Water deficit and polyethylene glycol 6000 affects morphological and biochemical characters of Pelargonium odoratissimum (L.)". Scientia Horticulturae. 125 (2): 159–166. doi:10.1016/j.scienta.2010.03.009. ISSN   0304-4238.
  2. Christodoulakis, Nikolaos S.; Gargeraki, Kalliope; Fasseas, Costas (2013-04-03). "Leaf Structure of Pelargonium odoratissimum (Soland.), an Aromatic Species Widely Used in Herbal Remedies and Confectionery". Journal of Herbs, Spices & Medicinal Plants. 19 (2): 132–143. doi:10.1080/10496475.2012.755943. ISSN   1049-6475. S2CID   84629113.