Pelargonium graveolens

Species of plant

Pelargonium graveolens is a Pelargonium species native to the Cape Provinces and the Northern Provinces of South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

Pelargonium graveolens is an erect, multi branched shrub, 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 flowers vary from pale pink to almost white and the plant flowers from August to January. The leaves may be strongly rose scented, although the leaf shape and scent vary. Some plants are very strongly scented and others have little or no scent. Some leaves are deeply incised and others less so, being slightly lobed like P. capitatum.

Common names include rose geranium, sweet scented geranium, old fashion rose geranium, Commercial vendors often list the source of geranium or rose geranium essential oil as Pelargonium graveolens, regardless of its botanical name.

Many plants are cultivated under the species name "Pelargonium graveolens" but differ from wild specimens as they are of hybrid origin This cultivar is often incorrectly labeled as Pelargonium graveolens (the species). The main difference between the species and this cultivar is the dissection of the leaf. The species' has about 5 lobes but the cultivar has about 10. P. 'Citrosum' A lemony, citronella scented cultivar, similar to P. 'Graveolens'. 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. P. 'Cinnamon Rose' A cinnamon scented cultivar. P. 'Dr Westerlund' A lemony rose scented cultivar, similar to P. 'Graveolens'. 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. P. 'Grey Lady Plymouth' A lemony rose scented cultivar similar to P. 'Lady Plymouth'. The leaves are grey–green in colour. P. 'Lady Plymouth' A minty lemony rose scented cultivar. A very popular variety with a definite mint scent. Possibly a P. radens hybrid. 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. P. 'Lucaeflora' A rose scented variety, much more similar to the species that most other cultivars and varieties. P. × melissinum The lemon balm pelargonium (lemon balm Melissa officinalis). This is a hybrid between P. crispum and P. graveolens. P. 'Mint Rose' A minty rose scented cultivar similar to P. 'Lady Plymouth' but without the variegation of the leaves and lemony undertones. P. 'Secret Love' An unusual eucalyptus scented cultivar with pale pink flowers. P. 'Van Leeni' A lemony rose scented cultivar, similar to P. 'Graveolens' and P. 'Dr Westerlund'. Others known; Camphor Rose, Capri, Granelous and Little Gem. – 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. 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, 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 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. In Cyprus, where it is known as kiouli, it is used to flavour and scent the sugar syrup in apricot preserves, known as glyko tou koutaliou hrisomilo.

A modern analysis listed the presence of over 50 organic compounds in the essential oil of P. graveolens from an Australian source. Analyses of Indian geranium oils indicated a similar phytochemical profile, and showed that the major constituents (in terms of % composition) were citronellol + nerol and geraniol.