Pelargonium graveolens

Taxobox
name = "Pelargonium graveolens"

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image_width = 280px
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Geraniales
familia = Geraniaceae
genus = "Pelargonium"
species = "P. graveolens"
binomial = "Pelargonium graveolens"
binomial_authority = L'Hér.USDA ARS NPGS. [http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?317549 "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.]

"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 [http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Pelargonium+graveolens "Pelargonium graveolens"] . "Plants For A Future." Accessed June 23 2007.] USDA NCRS. [http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=PEGR11 "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.] , old fashion rose geranium, and rose-scent geranium. "Pelargonium gravelons" 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." [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 "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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References