Practical
Plants

Pelargonium triste

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Height
0.5 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

Root[9][3]. This species has tuberous roots that can be cooked like potatoes[6]. Extractable[2] - we assume this means that a starch can be extracted from it[K].

Plant part
Root

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

All parts of the plant are astringent[9].

Product or use
Astringent

Material uses

An essential oil is obtained from the plant.

Product or use
Essential

Environment

Range
S. Africa.
Habitat
Sandy or gravelly soils on hills or flats in the western Cape[10][8].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 9+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse. Stored seed should be sown in early spring in a greenhouse. The seed germinates best with a minimum temperature of 13°c, germination usually taking place within 2 weeks though it sometimes takes some months[5]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. If trying them outdoors, plant them out in early summer and consider giving them extra protection during the winter. Cuttings succeed at almost any time in the growing season but early summer is the best time in order for the new plant to become established before winter. Division. The plant spreads by means of its tuberous roots[8] - young suckers can be potted up at any time of the year and grown on in pots in a greenhouse until established.

Cultivation

Requires a light well-drained neutral to alkaline soil in a sunny position[4][5]. Easily grown in a sandy soil, the plant needs to be kept dry in the summer but moist in the winter and spring[8]. Plants are not very hardy in Britain, tolerating temperatures down to about 0°c[8]. They generally require greenhouse protection but might succeed outdoors when grown in a very sheltered warm spot in the mildest parts of the country[1]. They can also be grown in containers that are placed outdoors in the summer and then brought into the greenhouse or conservatory for the winter[6]. The plants need to be kept fairly dry in the winter[5]. The flowers, especially at night, have a deliciously sweet fragrance[7]. The bruised leaves emit a resinous scent[7]. Very tolerant of pruning, they can be cut right down to the base in the autumn when bringing them back indoors, or in the spring to encourage lots of fresh growth[6].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

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  3. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

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  4. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

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  5. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3

  7. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩1↩2

  8. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2 Pan Books, London. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-330-37376-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  9. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2

  10. Adamson. and Salter. Flora of the Cape Peninsula.

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