''Pelargonium exstipulatum'' is a

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

species native to

South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the Southern Africa, southernmost country in Africa. Its Provinces of South Africa, nine provinces are bounded to the south by of coastline that stretches along the Atlantic O ...

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

Pelargonium odoratissimum ''Pelargonium odoratissimum'' is a pelargonium species native to South Africa. It is also known as the apple geranium or apple pelargonium due to the distinct apple scent. It is in the subgenus ''Reniforme'' along with ''Pelargonium sidoides'' an ...

'' and ''Pelargonium sidoides''.

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 Ciconiidae, and make up the order Ciconiiformes . Ciconiiformes previously included a number of other families, such as herons and ibise ...

. Another name for pelargoniums is storksbills due to the shape of their fruit. Exstipulatum refers to the lack of

Stipule In botany, a stipule is an outgrowth typically borne on both sides (sometimes on just one side) of the base of a leafstalk (the petiole (botany), petiole). They are primarily found among dicots and rare among monocots. Stipules are considered part ...

s 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 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. Etymology The word "potpourri" comes into English from ...

as they are quite aromatic.

References

exstipulatum Taxa named by Antonio José Cavanilles {{Geraniaceae-stub