pelargonium

American  

[pel-ahr-goh-nee-uhm, -er-] / ˌpɛl ɑrˈgoʊ ni əm, -ər- /

noun

1. any plant of the genus Pelargonium, the cultivated species of which are usually called geranium.

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pelargonium British  

/ ˌpɛləˈɡəʊnɪəm /

noun

1. any plant of the chiefly southern African geraniaceous genus Pelargonium, having circular or lobed leaves and red, pink, or white aromatic flowers: includes many cultivated geraniums

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Etymology

Origin of pelargonium

1810–20; < New Latin < Greek pelargó ( s ) stork + ( gerá ) nion geranium

Example Sentences

The plant commonly known as a geranium, he explains, is actually a pelargonium, a different genus entirely.

From New York Times • Jul. 28, 2021

That original pelargonium later died but, thanks to Gamble’s keen propagating, he was able to return the favor and provide his friend with a cutting from its offspring.

From New York Times • Jul. 28, 2021

Unsurprisingly, then, the scent many of us know as geranium — mossy, deeply green and medicinal — is, in fact, extracted from the leaves of pelargonium graveolens.

From New York Times • Jul. 28, 2021

“Just this year alone, we have had one little pelargonium stolen and a haemanthus South African bulb dug out from its pot, which was the last one we had in the collection,” says Snowball.

From The Guardian • Jan. 15, 2020

I have seen, even beyond Umeå, some fine specimens of cactus, pelargonium, calla, and other exotics.

From Northern Travel Summer and Winter Pictures of Sweden, Denmark and Lapland by Taylor, Bayard