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Geranium and pelargonium: the genera Geranium and Pelargonium Edited by Maria Lis-Balchin Taylor & Francis, Florence, KY, 2002, ISBN 0-415-28487-2
In 1995, the United States imported 106,777 kg of rose geranium oil (from Pelargonium 'Rose'), primarily from France, Egypt and China. Today, US imports are only about one third as much. Zdravetz oil (from Geranium macrorhizum) from Bulgaria and contiguous countries has always been a relatively minor item. Much has been published on these two genera, but little effort has been made to pull together the information into one place.
In this volume, Lis-Balchin presents a general introduction on the differences between Geranium and Pelargonium, and then divides the book into two parts to accommodate both genera. Part one includes chapters on taxonomy, phytochemistry, cultivation, harvesting, and medicinal uses of Geranium. Part two (to name just a few prominent topics) includes chapters on taxonomy, phytochemistry, cultivation, pharmacology, antimicrobial properties, standardization, micropropagation, arornatherapy, and arthropod pests of Pelargonium.
On taxonomy, the two chapters by the doyenne of the Geraniaceae, Diana Miller, stand out. In particular, she...