A comparative study on essential oil yield and composition of rose-scented geranium (P. c. v. Rose) commercially grown on three different sites of the Amathole region in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

Evaluation of Chemical Composition of Essential Oils Derived from Different Pelargonium Species Leaves

“…The genus Pelargonium is one of the seven genera of the Geraniaceae family (Geranium, Pelargonium, Erodium, Monsonia, Hypseocharis, Rhynchotheca and Sarcocaulon). This genus contains about 250-280 species and include a range of variation in floral morphologies and life forms [11][12][13]. Hybrids of Pelargonium are cultivated around the world for the production of essential oils and absolutes, but original regions for Pelargonium genus are South Africa and nearby countries.…”

“…It's cultivars grow mainly in Reunion Island, China, Egypt, Algeria and Morocco. While China and Egypt are the major producers of pelargonium volatile oils, the Bourbon geranium from Reunion Island is considered as one of the highest quality essential oils [11][12][13][14][15][16]. The oils are characterized by high levels of citronellol, geraniol, isomenthone, linalool accompanied by wide range of esters, such as citronellyl formate, geranyl formate, geranyl acetate, geranyl propionate and sesquiterpenes, of which 10-epi-γ-eudesmol and guaia-6,9-diene are the most important [16,17].…”

“…Pelargonium species are remarkable for their odour diversity, from fresh, lemon and minty scent, through floral, rose, fruity up to spicy and camphoreous smell. The most often commercially used plant in described genus are: P. capitatum, P. graveolens, P. odoratissium and P. radens [12]. P. graveolens is an aromatic and hairy shrub, erect up to 1-1.3 m tall and 1 m spread with soft to the touch and carved leaves, and usually small, pink flowers.…”