Pelargonium odoratissimum

Pelargonium odoratissimum, the apple geranium or scented geranium, is an aromatic, evergreen perennial that grows a single stem from slightly tuberous roots to heights around 30 cm. Its habit is slightly straggling.

The roundish to heart-shaped leaves are toothed or scalloped and sometimes lobed. The bright green blades are velvety, smelling of apple and mint. The specific name, odoratissimum, is Latin, emphasising the fragrance. It is released strongly when touched.

The inflorescence is umbel-like, consisting of up to ten flowers. The calyx tube is up to 1 cm long, equalling the pedicel. The flower is white with small dark pink or purplish blotches and line markings on the upper two petals; about 1,5 cm wide. Flowering happens almost all year round.

The species distribution is in the Western Cape from around Ceres, the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga, as well as in some neighbouring countries. 

The habitat is cool shade in forests, thickets and among rocks, also in renosterveld valleys. The habitat population is deemed of least concern early in the twenty first century.

The leaves are used by people in several ways, added as a condiment in salads, soups, pastries and other dishes. Medicinally it has been used for throat infections, skin complaints, burn wounds, reducing fevers and more. An essential oil with antibacterial properties can also be obtained from the plant for use in aromatherapy, perfumes and as an insect repellent. It also finds its way into pot-pourri leaf combinations (Euston-Brown and Kruger, 2023; Curtis-Scott, et al, 2020; Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; iNaturalist; www.cretanherbalchem.com; www.pfaf.org; http://redlist.sanbi.org).