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Martha Washington

Martha Washington

When Europeans “discovered” pelargoniums in southern Africa, they were already a part of traditional African medicine.  An Englishman, Charles Stevens, was supposedly cured of tuberculosis using a traditional Zulu remedy made from Pelargonium sidoides.  He sold it in Englas as “Stevens’ Consumption Cure.” Nowadays an extract, sold as “Umckaloabo”, is used to treat bronchitis and immune disorders.

Scented pelargoniums evolved to attract pollinators through their fragrant leaves.  Some of the scents are lemon, rose, chocolate, peppermint, and nutmeg.  In the Victoria era, when bathing was less frequent, rose or peppermint scented pelargoniums were placed in hallways so that long skirts would brush against them and scent the air. Leaves were laid under rugs as well.  Some scented pelargoniums, such as rose and lemon, are used to flavour cakes and jellies.  Victorians would place a leaf of a rose pelargonium at the bottom of the cake tin to infuse the cake with a floral aroma. Unfortunately, the “Mosquito Plant” (Pelargonium ‘citrosum’) does not actually repel insects as promised.  You would have to crush the leaves and rub the oils on your skin!

If you come across a “Turk’s Head” or “Indian Geranium”, this name evolved from a Dutch East India Company mixup.  This dark, purplish-black flower (Pelargonium triste) was assumed to come from one of their India routes, but it actually is native to South Africa.

In early European and American folklore, red pelargoniums were planted in window boxes as a type of home security system against witches and evil spirits.  One legend claimed that the flowers of a red pelargonium would turn and point to a witch coming to your door!