Pelargonium exstipulatum

Pelargonium exstipulatum is a pelargonium species native to South Africa. It is in the subgenus Reniforme along with Pelargonium odoratissimum and Pelargonium sidoides.

Pelargonium exstipulatum
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Geraniales
Family:	Geraniaceae
Genus:	Pelargonium
Species:	P. exstipulatum
Binomial name
Pelargonium exstipulatum (Cav.) L'Hér.

Etymology

Pelargonium comes from the Greek; Pelargos which means stork. Another name for pelargoniums is storksbills due to the shape of their fruit. Exstipulatum refers to the lack of Stipules on the leaves.

Description

Pelargonium exstipulatum is a tall, quite woody, 'shrublet' which grows up to metre high and 50 cm wide. It has small pink flowers and its leaves are waxy, green and ovate with a slight fringe. Its leaves have a sweet, slightly spicy scent.

Cultivars and hybrids

There are only a few cultivars and hybrids of Pelargonium odoratissimum, these include:

• Pelargonium × fragrans - A hybrid between P. exstipulatum and P.odoratissimum.
• There are many varieties and cultivars of P. × fragrans. For a detailed list, see Pelargonium × fragrans

Uses

As well as being a houseplant or outdoor perennial depending on climate, the leaves of Pelargonium exstipulatum can be used in something like potpourri as they are quite aromatic.