Geranium

Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) The plant is also known as rose geranium. The chief constituent of the oil are geranial and citronellol. The pure geranium oil is almost a perfume by itself and blends well with all other perfumes. 

Origin and distribution

          Geranium is a native of cape province in South Africa. The world production of geranium oil is estimated at 250-300 tonnes whereas the demand is more than 500 tonnes, annually. The first planting of a high yielding Pelargonium graveolens, introduced from Renuion island was grown at Yercaud by a French planter, in early 20th Century. 

Description of the plant

          The commercial oil of geranium is obtained from  Pelargonium graveolens, (2n=88) of the family Geraniaceae. There are about 600 species of the genus Pelargonium. Other species like P.radula, P.fragrance etc.,

          Geranium is a bushy aromatic plant.

Stem is cylindrical, woody at base, pubescent, green when young, turning brown with age.

Leaves alternate, stipulate, simple, with 5 primary lobes and secondary lobes and densely pubescent. Leaves are highly aromatic in nature.

Inflorescence is umbellate and hairy.

Flower is bisexual, hypogynous, with pink corolla, two posterior petals larger, with reddish purple markings

Varieties

          1. Algerian or Tunisian This type of geranium is slender with dark pink colour. It is being grown in Nilgiris and is unsuitable for wet conditions. This yields 50-60 per cent more oil having a delicate odour than that of Reunion type.

          2. Reunion or Bourbon Grown in Nilgiris and Annamalais and the plant is more sturdy with light pink flowers and more suitable for wet conditions. Oil content is higher during summer months from April to June. The terminal portion with 6 to 12 leaves contain more oil than the middle and basal portions.

`KKL-1'. The Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore has found `Sel-8', a Reunio type, as the highest yielder under Bangalore conditions and has recommended it for cultivation. `Hemanti', `Bipuli' and `Kunti' are the other varieties released by CIMAP, Lucknow for cultivation in plains of north India.