''Pelargonium tomentosum'', the peppermint-scented geranium, is a

pelargonium ''Pelargonium'' () is a genus of flowering plants that includes about 280 species of perennials, succulents, and shrubs, commonly called geraniums, pelargoniums, or storksbills. '' Geranium'' is also the botanical name and common name of a separ ...

species native to

South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countri ...

. It is in the subgenus ''Pelargonium'' along with ''

Pelargonium graveolens ''Pelargonium graveolens'' is a ''Pelargonium'' species native to the Cape Provinces and the Northern Provinces of South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Etymology ''Pelargonium'' comes from the Greek πελαργός ''pelargos'' which means st ...

'', ''

Pelargonium crispum ''Pelargonium crispum'' (the "crisped-leaf pelargonium") is a ''Pelargonium'' species native to the Western Cape Province, South Africa. It is in the subgenus ''Pelargonium'' along with ''Pelargonium graveolens'' and ''Pelargonium capitatum'' and ...

'' and '' Pelargonium capitatum''.

Etymology

''Pelargonium'' comes from the Greek; Pelargos which means

stork Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked wading birds with long, stout bills. They belong to the family called Ciconiidae, and make up the order Ciconiiformes . Ciconiiformes previously included a number of other families, such as herons an ...

. Another name for pelargoniums is storksbills due to the shape of their fruit. Tomentosum refers to the soft, furry, tomentose leaves.

Description

''Pelargonium tomentosum'' is a tall, spreading species which grows up to a metre wide and a metre high. It is a very soft, hairy plant with a strong mint scent (due to the

menthone Menthone is a monoterpene with a minty flavor that occurs naturally in a number of essential oils. ''l''-Menthone (or (2''S'',5''R'')-''trans''-2-isopropyl-5-methylcyclohexanone), shown at right, is the most abundant in nature of the four possible ...

in the leaves) and small white flowers. The leaves are green-grey in colour with a wide, three-lobed shape.

Cultivars and hybrids

There are an only a few cultivars and hybrids of ''Pelargonium tomentosum''. These cultivars and hybrids include: * ''Pelargonium tomentosum'' 'Chocolate Peppermint' - A hybrid between ''P. tomentosum'' and ''Pelargonium'' 'Giant Oak' (A cultivar of '' Pelargonium quercifolium''). P. Chocolate Peppermint is a tall species that spreads like ''P. tomentosum''. It smells slightly of mint but the 'chocolate' refers to the brown blotches in the centre of the leaves which it gets from P. 'Giant Oak'. * ''Pelargonium'' 'Islington Peppermint' - A hybrid between ''P. tomentosum'' and ''Pelargonium'' 'Splendide'. A smaller pelargonium with fresh mint scented leaves and striking bicolour flowers of white and brown. It is an unusual hybrid because ''P. tomentosum'' is in the subgenus ''Pelargonium'' but P. 'Splendide' is a hybrid between ''Pelargonium ovale'' and ''Pelargonium tricolor'' which are both in the subgenus ''Camphylia''.

Uses

As well as being a houseplant or outdoor perennial depending on climate, ''Pelargonium tomentosum'' has a few other uses. Firstly, the leaves are edible and are great as a flavouring for cakes or tea. The leaves are not usually eaten due to the hairiness of the leaves being somewhat repulsive. Secondly, due to the astringent characteristics of the oils in its leaves, a poultice can be made to treat sprains or bruises. It is also works like

mint MiNT is Now TOS (MiNT) is a free software alternative operating system kernel for the Atari ST system and its successors. It is a multi-tasking alternative to TOS and MagiC. Together with the free system components fVDI device drivers, XaA ...

for treating sore throats if the menthol is obtained correctly. Thirdly the leaves are very aromatic and can be used in

potpourri Potpourri ( ) is a mixture of dried, naturally fragrant plant materials used to provide a gentle natural scent, commonly in residential settings. It is often placed in a decorative bowl. The word "potpourri" comes into English from the French ...

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q18081631 tomentosum