Pelargonium graveolens
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| Pelargonium graveolens | ||||||||||||||
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| Pelargonium graveolens L'Hér.[1] |
Pelargonium graveolens is a species in the Pelargonium genus, which is indigenous to various parts of southern Africa, and in particular South Africa. It is often called geranium as it falls within the plant family Geraniaceae, although more correctly, it is referred to as Pelargonium. This specific species has great importance in the perfume industry. It is cultivated on a large scale and its foliage is distilled for its scent. P. graveolens cultivars have a wide variety of smells, including rose, citrus, mint, coconut and nutmeg, as well as various fruits. However, the most commercially important varieties are those that have rose scents.
Common names include or rose geranium [2][1][3], old fashion rose geranium[2], and rose-scent geranium[1]. Pelargonium gravelons is also known by taxonomic synonyms "Geranium terebinthinaceum Cav." and Pelargonium terebinthinaceum (Cav.) Desf."[1] "Rose geranium" is sometimes used to refer to "Pelargonium incrassatum (Andrews) Sims" or its synonym "Pelargonium roseum (Andrews) DC."[4] Commercial vendors often list the source of geranium or rose geranium essential oil as Palargonium graveolens roseum.
Pelargonium distillates and absolutes, commonly known as "scented geranium oil" are sometimes used to supplement or adulterate more expensive rose oils.
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 The cluster of Pelargonium graveolens |
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d USDA ARS NPGS. "Pelargonium graveolens information from NPGS/GRIN". United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS). Accessed June 23, 2007.
- ^ a b "Pelargonium graveolens". Plants For A Future. Accessed June 23, 2007.
- ^ USDA NCRS. "PLANTS Profile for Pelargonium graveolens (sweet scented geranium)". United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NCRS), PLANTS Database. Accessed June 23, 2007.
- ^ "Pelargonium incrassatum". Plants For A Future. Accessed June 23, 2007.
