Pelargonium capitatum
ζ*P. capitatum (L.) Aiton ζ*, rose-scented geranium, is occasionally wild in the Hokianga area of N. Auckland, as well as there being unconfirmed reports from Nuhaka, Poverty Bay and Napier. It seems to be less common in cultivation than the very closely-related P. vitifolium and the 2 spp. are often confused. P. capitatum differs from P. vitifolium in its sprawling habit, more undulate and velvety lvs, generally lobed more than 1/2 way to the midrib, and the typically more compact infl. The fls are very similar to those of P. vitifolium with the corolla irregular and the petals oblanceolate and pink with the larger upper pair marked purple. P. capitatum is the main sp. used for the production of oil of geranium. (South Africa, 1983).
