Pelargonium

South Africa, a crucial hub for the pelargonium genus, is home to over 200 of the estimated 280 species. Many well-known and economically significant pelargonium species originated from South Africa’s Cape Floristic Region, a biodiversity hotspot. The rose-scented pelargonium (P. graveolens), widely cultivated for its essential oil, and the medicinal P. sidoides used to extract EPs®7630 hail from this region. Other notable South African species include the lemon-scented P. crispum, the pungent-smelling P. vitifolium used in traditional remedies, and ornamental varieties like P. peltatum with its striking ivy-shaped leaves. However, it’s disheartening to note that some South African pelargonium species are under threat due to habitat loss and plant population declines. This is where our collective conservation efforts come into play, aiming to protect this diverse botanical heritage. Afrika Botanicals will only support the sale of pelargonium species which are not threatened.