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Pelargonium crispum - (P.J.Bergius.)L'Hér.

Common Name Lemon Geranium
Family Geraniaceae
USDA hardiness 8-11
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Dry lower slopes in sandy soil amongst boulders in the south-west Cape[260].
Range S. Africa.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Half Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Pelargonium crispum Lemon Geranium


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:KENPEI
Pelargonium crispum Lemon Geranium
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Gothika

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Pelargonium crispum is an evergreen Shrub growing to 0.7 m (2ft 4in) by 0.3 m (1ft).
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 August. 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 can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

 South Wall. By. West Wall. By.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts:
Edible Uses: Condiment  Tea

The leaves have a pleasant lemon aroma[238]. They are crushed and used to flavour soups, fruit dishes, jellies, sorbets, ice-cream, cakes etc[183, 238]. Cake pans can be lined with the leaves and the pastry will be infused with their essence[183]. An infusion of the leaves is used as a tea[238].

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]. It can be harvested as required and used fresh[238].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Essential  Pot-pourri

An essential oil is obtained from the leaves and young shoots. Strawberry and citral-scented[46], it is used in perfumery and soap making[61]. The leaves are dried for pot-pourri and for making herb pillows[238].

Special Uses

Dynamic accumulator  Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a light well-drained neutral to alkaline soil in a sunny position[188, 200]. Plants are tolerant of some shade[238]. In order to maintain their native habit, plants require fairly dry conditions in a very sunny position[260]. Plants are not very cold-hardy in Britain, tolerating temperatures down to about -3°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 bruised leaves release a strong lemon scent, rather like lemon verbena[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]. A number of named varieties have been selected for their ornamental and/or culinary value[183, 238].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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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

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

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 exstipulatumPennyroyal GeraniumShrub1.0 8-11  LMNDM122
Pelargonium fragransNutmeg GeraniumShrub0.3 8-11  LMNDM123
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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 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

(P.J.Bergius.)L'Hér.

Botanical References

200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Cleo Carrick   Tue Jun 10 2008

Is this plant toxic to cats and/or dogs?

jackie   Tue Dec 29 2009

does it flower?

david   Tue Dec 29 2009

It has pink flowers, this is usually covered under "physical characteristics" at the top of each page.

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Subject : Pelargonium crispum  
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