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Pelargonium graveolens

Pelargonium graveolens

9.7
A plant that has rose-scented leaves and pink flowers
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : geranio rosa
  • The essential oil of Pelargonium graveolens is prized for its rose-like scent in perfumery.

Examples

  • Gardeners often cultivate Pelargonium graveolens for its aromatic leaves and attractive flowers.

  • Research shows that Pelargonium graveolens can be used as a natural mosquito repellent.

  • The Pelargonium graveolens has a delightful scent.

  • I love the smell of Pelargonium graveolens in my garden.

  • Many people grow Pelargonium graveolens in their gardens because of its fragrant leaves and pretty pink flowers.

  • The essential oil from Pelargonium graveolens is commonly used in cosmetics for its pleasant aroma.

  • You can often find Pelargonium graveolens in herbal shops due to its aromatic properties and therapeutic uses.

Synonyms

rose geranium
vsPelargonium graveolens
5.7

A plant with pink flowers and scented leaves used for perfume

is the scientific species name for that same fragrant plant
sweet-scented geranium
vsPelargonium graveolens
  • South African
7.9

A plant with divided leaves and pink flowers that smell sweet

is the scientific species name rather than the common scented name

Surface Forms

Morphology

Pelargonium + graveolens

This is a Latin binomial: knowing 'Pelargonium' tells a learner it is a member of a fragrant flowering-plant genus, so they can infer it is a kind of pelargonium. The species epithet 'graveolens' is a Latin form not listed here and is not transparently understandable to a B1 learner, so the specific sense (rose geranium / strongly scented leaves) is not fully predictable.

Etymology

Pelargonium graveolens gets its name from older words: Pelargonium comes from a word for a 'stork' because the plant's dry seed pods look like a stork's bill, and graveolens means 'strong-smelling', which points to its 'rose-like' scent. So the name helps you remember both the seed shape and the plant's strong perfume.