Definition

Noun: * A type of scented geranium (Pelargonium graveolens or related species) native to southern Africa, characterized by leaves with a strong rose-like fragrance and typically pink flowers.

Usage

• The rose geranium is prized in gardens and for its essential oil.
• She crushed a leaf of rose geranium to release its perfume.
• The distinctive scent comes from the rose geranium plant.

Advanced Usage

• In Perfumery and Cosmetics: The essential oil distilled from rose geranium leaves is a common ingredient, used as a fragrance and a fixative.
  • The perfumer added a note of rose geranium to the blend.
• In Horticulture: Refers to cultivars selected for specific fragrance profiles or growth habits within the group.
  • 'Attar of Roses' is a popular cultivar of rose geranium.

Variants and Related Words

• Sweet-scented geranium: A common alternative name.
• Pelargonium graveolens: The primary botanical name.
• Geranium oil / Rose geranium oil: The essential oil derived from the plant.

Synonyms

• Sweet-scented geranium

Notes on Meaning

• It is important to distinguish the rose geranium (a scented ) from true geraniums (genus ), which are different plants, and from other types of scented geraniums like lemon or mint geraniums, which have different fragrances. The key defining feature is the rose-like aroma of its leaves.

Noun

1. any of several southern African geraniums having fragrant three-lobed to five-lobed leaves and pink flowers