Pelargonium odoratissimum
(apple geranium)

Preferred Scientific Name

• Pelargonium odoratissimum (L.) L'Hér.

Preferred Common Name

• apple geranium

Other Scientific Names

• Geranium odoratissimum L.

International Common Names

• English: nutmeg geranium; sweet-scent pelargonium
• Spanish: geranio de rosa; geranio malva; pelargonio
• French: geranium; geranium-rosat; pelargonium citronne

Local Common Names

• Germany: Apfelduft-pelargonie; Rosenstorchschnabel; Zitronenpelargonie
• Italy: geranio incense; geranio odoroso; malva d’Egitto; marvetta odorata
• Korea, Republic of: hyangkkotauk; yangauk
• Puerto Rico: aroma; geranio de olor; malvarrosa
• Russian Federation: pelargonija duschistaja

• Domain: Eukaryota
•     Kingdom: Plantae
•         Phylum: Spermatophyta
•             Subphylum: Angiospermae
•                 Class: Dicotyledonae
•                     Order: Geraniales
•                         Family: Geraniaceae
•                             Genus: Pelargonium
•                                 Species: Pelargonium odoratissimum

There has been much confusion in the literature surrounding the genera of Pelargonium and Geranium. The genus Geranium was originally described by Linnaeus in 1753 but was then divided into Pelargonium and Geranium by Charles L’Héritier in 1789, and many species from both genera have retained the name ‘geranium’ in their vernacular names. Further, many cultivars and varieties exist, many with similar variety names to other species. The genus name Pelargonium derives from the Greek word ‘pelargos’, meaning ‘stork’, in reference to the beak-like shape of the fruit, which has also resulted in the genus being called the ‘stork’s bill’ genus (Stearn, 1992).

In the case of P. odoratissimum, ‘apple geranium’, for example, Lis-Balchin (2002) argues that this species has probably been confused with an aromatic cultivar of P. graveolens, and it is the P. graveolens cultivar that produces geranium essential oil, not the actual species P. odoratissimum as “misquoted” by Knuth (1912) and repeated in subsequent literature.Seidemann (2005), however, notes that ‘the true species is apple-scented’ and Hanelt et al. (2001), USDA-ARS (2014) and other sources used for this datasheet include the species’ usefulness as a source of essential oil. The specific name odoratissimum, most fragrant, refers to the sweet smell of the leaves (SANBI, 2014). The species is classified under the section Cortusinaof the genusPelargonium.

SANBI (2014) says: P. odoratissimum is a perennial and relatively flat-growing shrublet with a short thick main stem with extensive herbaceous flowering branches which are 60 cm in length. The plant rarely grows beyond a height of 30 cm. The main stem is coarse and scaly due to persistent bases of old stipules. The roots are somewhat tuberous. The leaves, 30-40 mm in diameter, are roundish to ovate-cordate with crenulate margins. They are apple green and covered with fine short hairs making them pleasant to touch. They have a strong apple-mint scent. The flowers are pale pink and relatively small. 

P. odoratissimum is native to South Africa, but most cultivars of this genus that are now grown for their rose-scented essential oil, ‘geranium oil’, came about through breeding experimentation in Europe between introduced species from South Africa and are therefore of hybrid origin (Dasuki, 2002). SANBI (2014) reports that this species was introduced into the UK in 1724 and grown in the Chelsea Garden (London). Commercial cultivation of Pelargonium species began in the early 19th Century in Grasse, France, which remained the European centre of production until World War II (Dasuki, 2002).

Date of this species’ introduction to the West Indies as a cultivated plant is uncertain, but it may have occurred relatively recently, as the species was not included in the principal floras of the region from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Britton and Wilson (1924) did note, however, that many Pelargonium species and cultivars were being grown in Puerto Rico as of 1924. 

Soil drainage

• free

Soil reaction

• acid
• alkaline
• neutral

Soil texture

• light
• medium

No data was found on the movement and dispersal of this species in the wild, but it has been reported as an accidental introduction in Puerto Rico, where it has escaped from cultivation (Liogier and Martorell, 2000). P. odoratissimum has been repeatedly introduced intentionally by humans for use in medicine, food preparations, essential oil, and as an ornamental plant. 

Little information is available on the potential environmental, economic, health and cultural impacts that this species would have should it become invasive. It is currently not considered a high-risk species, although it is known to sometimes escape from cultivation in Puerto Rico (Liogier and Martorell, 2000). However, considering that many members of this genus are known to be weedy or invasive, P. odoratissimum could potentially become a problem species if left unmonitored.

• Tolerates, or benefits from, cultivation, browsing pressure, mutilation, fire etc
• Fast growing
• Has propagules that can remain viable for more than one year
• Reproduces asexually

• Highly likely to be transported internationally deliberately

P. odoratissimum has been introduced beyond its native range for use as an ornamental flowering plant. The leaves are also used for perfumery and lining pillows (Hanelt et al., 2001; Seidemann, 2005; SANBI, 2014), although there is a debate regarding whether this species produces aromatic oil (see Lis-Balchin, 2002). Plant parts of this species are also used for culinary purposes; leaves can be crushed and used to flavour salads, soups, fruit dishes, jellies, sorbets, ice-cream, cakes, and other baked goods, and an infusion of the leaves is used as a tea (PFAF, 2014).

The leaves of P. odoratissimum have been used as an insect repellent as well as for traditional medicinal purposes. As the whole plant reportedly possesses astringent, tonic and antiseptic effects, it is used internally in the treatment of debility, gastro-enteritis and haemorrhage and externally to treat skin complaints, injuries, neuralgia and throat infections (PFAF, 2014).