Pelargonium radens, the rasp-leaf pelargonium[1] is a species of Pelargonium. It is in the subgenus Pelargonium along with Pelargonium crispum and Pelargonium tomentosum.
| Pelargonium radens | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Geraniales |
| Family: | Geraniaceae |
| Genus: | Pelargonium |
| Species: | P. radens
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| Binomial name | |
| Pelargonium radens | |
Description
editPelargonium radens is an evergreen perennial plant, growing to up to 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) high. It has deeply cut triangular scented gray-green leaves and in the summer bears clusters of small pink-purple flowers, followed by small curly-tailed brownish seeds. It is originally from the southern and eastern Cape, South Africa, where it grows in ravines or gorges near streams or among shrubs on mountainsides.[2]
Etymology
editPelargonium comes from the Greek πελαργός pelargos, which means stork. Another name for pelargoniums is stork's-bills due to the shape of their fruit. Radens refers to the coarse, rasp leaves.
Cultivars and hybrids
editThere are a few cultivars and hybrids of Pelargonium radens. These include:
- Pelargonium 'Lara Candy Dancer' - A rose scented variety. The flowers are less marked than the species. AGM
- Pelargonium 'Crowfoot' - A minty rose scented variety.
- Pelargonium 'Dr Livingstone' (Synonym - 'Skeleton Rose') - A rose scented variety with less dissected leaves that the species.
- Pelargonium 'Radula' - A rose scented variety. Often thought of as a synonym of the species or a named clone.
- Pelargonium 'Red Flowered Rose' - A reddish-pink flowered variety that could be a hybrid between one of the other rose scented species.
- Pelargonium 'Graveolens' (Synonym - P. × asperum) - A rose scented hybrid between Pelargonium capitatum and P. radens. This hybrid is the most commonly used pelargonium in the perfume industry.
Uses
editTraditionally the edible leaves were used as a flavoring in jellies and in herbal teas. An essential oil extracted from the leaves and flowers is used commercially as a food flavoring and additive (geranium oil, rose geranium oil). This essential oil is classified as Generally Recognized as Safe by the US FDA when small quantities are added to foods.
Pelargonium radens is used as a house plant. It is also cultivated as an ornamental in, e.g., North America, in USDA hardiness zones 10–11. Propagation is by seeds and stem cuttings.
References
edit- ^ NRCS. "Pelargonium radens". PLANTS Database. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 21 September 2015.
- ^ Trevor Adams (August 2008). "Pelargonium radens". www.plantzafrica.com. South African National Biodiversity Institute. Retrieved 14 March 2013.
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