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Pelargonium triste - (L.)L'Hér.

Common Name
Family Geraniaceae
USDA hardiness 8-11
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Sandy or gravelly soils on hills or flats in the western Cape[73, 260].
Range S. Africa.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Half Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Pelargonium triste


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Stan_Shebs
Pelargonium triste
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Stan_Shebs

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Pelargonium triste is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9 and is frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower in 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

 South Wall. By. West Wall. By.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root
Edible Uses:

Root[4, 177]. This species has tuberous roots that can be cooked like potatoes[238]. Extractable[105] - we assume this means that a starch can be extracted from it[K].

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.
Astringent

All parts of the plant are astringent[4].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Essential

An essential oil is obtained from the plant.

Special Uses

Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a light well-drained neutral to alkaline soil in a sunny position[188, 200]. Easily grown in a sandy soil, the plant needs to be kept dry in the summer but moist in the winter and spring[260]. Plants are not very hardy in Britain, tolerating temperatures down to about 0°c[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 flowers, especially at night, have a deliciously sweet fragrance[245]. The bruised leaves emit a resinous scent[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

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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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. Division. The plant spreads by means of its tuberous roots[260] - young suckers can be potted up at any time of the year and grown on in pots in a greenhouse until established.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

AFRICA: South Africa (w. & s.w.)

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 
Pelargonium australeIvy GeraniumPerennial0.3 8-11  LMNDM11 
Pelargonium bowkeri Perennial0.0 -  LMNDM11 
Pelargonium capitatumRose-Scented GeraniumShrub0.6 8-11  LMNDM033
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 quercifoliumOak-Leaved GeraniumShrub1.5 8-11  LMNDM023
Pelargonium radensRasp-leaf pelargoniumShrub1.0 8-11  LMNDM023
Pelargonium tomentosumPeppermint GeraniumShrub0.5 8-11  LMSDM123
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.

 

Expert comment

Author

(L.)L'Hér.

Botanical References

73200

Links / References

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