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Pelargonium odoratissimum
  • Apple Geranium

a perennial evergreen member of the Pelargonium genus in the family Geraniaceae.

Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Loamy
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 9
    Zone 9
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Pelargonium odoratissimum has 0 edible uses listed
Pelargonium odoratissimum has 0 material uses listed
Pelargonium odoratissimum has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

The leaves are crushed and used to flavour salads, soups, fruit dishes, jellies, sorbets, ice-cream, cakes etc[1][2]. Cake pans can be lined with the leaves and the pastry will be infused with their essence[1]. The leaves have an apple scent according to one report[1] but our plants have a very strong minty smell[K]. An infusion of the leaves is used as a tea[2].

Unknown part

Condiment
Tea

Material uses

An essential oil is obtained from the plant[3][4]. It is used in aromatherapy, perfumery and as an insect repellent[2]. The growing plant will repel flies, especially if the leaves are touched occasionally to release their scent. The leaves are dried for use in pot-pourri and herb pillows[2].

Unknown part

Essential
Pot-pourri
Repellent

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The whole plant is an aromatic herb with astringent, tonic and antiseptic effects[5][2]. It is used internally in the treatment of debility, gastro-enteritis and haemorrhage[2]. Externally, it is used to treat skin complaints, injuries, neuralgia and throat infections[2]. The essential oil is used in aromatherapy. Its keyword is 'Balancing'[6]. It is used in the treatment of burns, sores and shingles[2].

Unknown part

Antiseptic
Aromatherapy
Astringent
Tonic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

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[7]. 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.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Pelargonium odoratissimum. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

An easily grown plant, succeeding in a well-drained ordinary good soil[260, K]. Requires a light well-drained neutral to alkaline soil in a sunny position[8][7]. Plants are tolerant of some shade[2].

Plants are not very cold-hardy in Britain, tolerating temperatures down to about -3°c[9]. They generally require greenhouse protection but might succeed outdoors when grown in a very sheltered warm spot in the mildest parts of the country[10]. 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[2]. The plants need to be kept fairly dry in the winter[7]. When grown in pots, the plants require regular repotting in order to stay vigorous[9]. 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[2].

The bruised leaves release a smell of ripe apples[11]. The plant is cultivated for its essential oil[4].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Pelargonium odoratissimum. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Pelargonium odoratissimum.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Pelargonium odoratissimum
Genus
Pelargonium
Family
Geraniaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2]
Medicinal uses
[5][2][6]
Material uses & Functions
[3][4][2]
Botanic
[7]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
9
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    evergreen
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    0.2 x 0.3 meters
    Fertility
    self fertile
    Pollinators
    ?
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite











    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.3 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    2. ? 2.002.012.022.032.042.052.062.072.082.092.102.112.122.13 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.2 Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press (1952-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.1 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.1 Westwood. C. Aromatherapy - A guide for home use. Amberwood Publishing Ltd ISBN 0-9517723-0-9 (1993-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.3 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    8. ? Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-86318-386-7 (1990-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.1 Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2 Pan Books, London. ISBN 0-330-37376-5 (1998-00-00)
    10. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    11. ? Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (1994-00-00)


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    Facts about "Pelargonium odoratissimum"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyGeraniaceae +
    Belongs to genusPelargonium +
    Has common nameApple Geranium +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partUnknown part +
    Has edible useSeasoning + and Tea +
    Has fertility typeSelf fertile +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone9 +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useEssential +, Pot-pourri + and Repellent +
    Has mature height0.2 +
    Has mature width0.3 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAntiseptic +, Aromatherapy +, Astringent + and Tonic +
    Has search namepelargonium odoratissimum + and x +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomy namePelargonium odoratissimum +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is deciduous or evergreenEvergreen +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +