PELARGONIUM triste

PELARGONIUM triste Species. Our form has pale golden cream flowers with dark purple markings. Scented in the early evening. They are held on tall stems from flat filigree leaves. Tuberous and propagated on the nursery using the tubers. Tends to go dormant in early summer. New leaves are often produced in early winter. Ht. 40cm. Sp. 35cm. Water very little during dormant season. It's Latin names means 'sad' flowers. Highly prized on the nursery and the flowers are noted by Mike as 'epitome of elegance'  Polyactium group. Early 1600's. The first Pelargonium to reach Europe from the Cape of South Africa in the early 17th Century. Originally named Geranium indicum Noctu Odoratum meaning 'Night scented Indian Geranium'. Frequently collected either in tuber form or seed and used in remedies for dysentery. Varying forms are due to this frequent collection of self pollinated seed, flower colour ranges from yellow to dark purple or brown. These different forms have often been assigned other species names including P. flavum. Brought to Europe from 1630, by many including John Tradescant in 1632. Although documented in botanic gardens at Leiden years before. Named 'indian geranium' as it was believed to have originated there for many years. Click here to discover more about Pelargoniums.