Plant
Geranium (Pelargonium)
Pelargonium (genus)
Also known as: Pelargonium, zonal geranium, ivy geranium
A genus of around 280 species in the family Geraniaceae — most species native to southern Africa. The 'geraniums' of the common window-box and balcony summer garden — universally — are actually *Pelargonium*, not the cold-hardy perennial 'cranesbills' that are the true *Geranium* genus. The naming confusion traces to 18th-century European horticulture, when both genera were lumped together; modern botany separated them but the common-English name 'geranium' stuck to the wrong genus. The commercial 'scented geraniums' (rose-, lemon-, peppermint-, apple-scented) are *Pelargonium* species used in perfumery, baking, and traditional medicine.
Scientific
The “geranium” vs. Geranium / Pelargonium naming confusion is one of the more notable name-genus mismatches in everyday horticulture:
- Pelargonium (family Geraniaceae) — what everyone calls a “geranium” in common English. Native to southern Africa. Annual or tender perennial; cannot survive freezing temperatures. The window-box, balcony, and summer-bedding “geranium” of European and American gardens.
- Geranium (family Geraniaceae) — the true botanical Geranium, also called “cranesbill.” Native to temperate regions globally. Cold-hardy perennial; survives winter outdoors in temperate gardens. The wild “wild geranium” of European meadows and American woodlands.
Linnaeus originally placed both in Geranium. Charles L’Héritier’s 1789 work separated the African species into the new genus Pelargonium on morphological grounds (flower symmetry differences). Subsequent botanical work has consistently maintained the distinction, but everyday English usage has never caught up.
Cultural and commercial
The Pelargonium “geraniums” of summer gardens are foundational to European balcony and window-box culture, especially across Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Italy, and France. The bright red zonal geraniums spilling from window boxes are one of the most-recognized images of Alpine and Mediterranean village architecture.
Principal cultivated Pelargonium groups:
- Zonal geraniums (P. × hortorum) — the classic upright window-box plants
- Ivy geraniums (P. peltatum) — trailing forms for hanging baskets
- Regal / Martha Washington geraniums (P. × domesticum) — large showy flowers
- Scented-leaf geraniums — multiple species selected for fragrant leaves
Scented-leaf pelargoniums are a distinct horticultural specialty. The aromatic-leaf species — including Pelargonium graveolens (rose-scented), P. crispum (lemon-scented), P. tomentosum ([[peppermint|peppermint]]-scented), and many others — are used in:
- Perfumery (geranium absolute from P. graveolens is a major Bourbon and Reunion essential-oil export)
- Traditional medicine (especially P. sidoides — covered separately at [[pelargonium-sidoides]])
- Baking (rose-geranium leaves under pound cakes and shortbreads)
- Pillow sachets and herbal preparations
See also
Auto-generated from this entry’s typed relations: frontmatter, grouped by relation type so the editorial signal isn’t flattened.
- Member of: [[plants]]
- Cousin of: [[pelargonium-sidoides]]
Sources
- Wikipedia — Pelargonium
A plant entry in the 0mn1.one [[directory]].
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