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Pelargonium quercifolium - (L.f.)L'Hér.

Common Name Oak-Leaved Geranium
Family Geraniaceae
USDA hardiness 8-11
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Damp places in the hills of southern Cape Province. Grows in Fynbos on mountain slopes and along the sides of roads[260].
Range S. Africa.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Half Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Pelargonium quercifolium Oak-Leaved Geranium


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Keith_Edkins
Pelargonium quercifolium Oak-Leaved Geranium
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Keith_Edkins

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Pelargonium quercifolium is an evergreen Shrub growing to 1.5 m (5ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9 and is frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from May to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Aromatic  Astringent  Stimulant

An aromatic, stimulant herb, it has a resinous scent[238]. All parts of the plant are astringent[4]. The plant is taken internally in the treatment of rheumatism, hypertension and heart disease[238]. The plant can be harvested at any time and is used fresh in infusions[238].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Essential  Pot-pourri  Repellent

An essential oil is obtained from the plant, a ladanum fragrance[46]. The dried leaves are added to pot-pourri and to insect-repellent sachets[238]. Attractive oak leaf shaped balsam scented leaves, the flowers are light to dark pink with dark purple markings.

Special Uses

Dynamic accumulator  Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

An easily grown plant, it requires a light well-drained neutral to alkaline rather dry soil in a sunny position[188, 200, 260]. Plants are not very cold-hardy in Britain, tolerating temperatures down to about -3°c or perhaps a bit lower[260]. They generally require greenhouse protection but might succeed outdoors when grown in a very sheltered warm spot in the mildest parts of the country[1]. They can also be grown in containers that are placed outdoors in the summer and then brought into the greenhouse or conservatory for the winter[238]. The plants need to be kept fairly dry in the winter[200]. The bruised leaves release a warm pungent aroma rather like incense[245]. Very tolerant of pruning, they can be cut right down to the base in the autumn when bringing them back indoors, or in the spring to encourage lots of fresh growth[238].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse. Stored seed should be sown in early spring in a greenhouse. The seed germinates best with a minimum temperature of 13°c, germination usually taking place within 2 weeks though it sometimes takes some months[200]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. If trying them outdoors, plant them out in early summer and consider giving them extra protection during the winter. Cuttings succeed at almost any time in the growing season but early summer is the best time in order for the new plant to become established before winter.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Oak leaf pelargonium.

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Pelargonium acetosum Shrub0.6 -  LMNDM11 
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Pelargonium crispumLemon GeraniumShrub0.7 8-11  LMSNDM223
Pelargonium exstipulatumPennyroyal GeraniumShrub1.0 8-11  LMNDM122
Pelargonium fragransNutmeg GeraniumShrub0.3 8-11  LMNDM123
Pelargonium fulgidum Shrub0.7 8-11  LMNDM012
Pelargonium glutinosumPheasant's Foot GeraniumShrub1.5 8-11  LMNDM013
Pelargonium graveolensRose Geranium, Sweet scented geraniumShrub1.2 10-11 MLMNDM233
Pelargonium incrassatum Perennial0.3 8-11  LMNDM012
Pelargonium odoratissimumApple GeraniumPerennial0.2 8-11  LMSNDM233
Pelargonium peltatumIvy-Leaved Geranium, Hanging Geranium, Ivy GeraniumShrub1.5 9-10 MLMNDM113
Pelargonium radensRasp-leaf pelargoniumShrub1.0 8-11  LMNDM023
Pelargonium tomentosumPeppermint GeraniumShrub0.5 8-11  LMSDM123
Pelargonium triste Perennial0.5 8-11  LMNDM112
Pelargonium vitifoliumGrapeleaf geraniumShrub1.0 8-11  LMNDM013
Pelargonium zonaleHorseshoe geraniumPerennial1.0 8-11  LMNDM112

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

(L.f.)L'Hér.

Botanical References

200

Links / References

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Readers comment

Izuel Solaris   Sun Aug 10 2008

I have recently obtained a substance which claims its a legal alternative to MDMA/ecxtasy. Apart from Guarana, Citrus Auruntium, Octopamine and flavouring agents it also contains Pergonium Quercifolium. I have tracked down and researched the effects of all of the other materials and was wondering what purposes P. Quercifolium would serve. Does it have any euphoric effects at all? I do not feel safe trying this substance until all ingredients have been researched. Thank you for your help.

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Subject : Pelargonium quercifolium  
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