More information can be found here: florgeous.com/poisonous-flowers/

 

Sony SLT-A77V / Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro

Navy Lt. Rachel Oden, of Casa Grande, Ariz., a physical therapist aboard the Military Sealift Command (MSC) hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19), plays with a young girl during her first day of physical therapy for her neuromuscular control deficits. With help from USAID (U.S. Advancement for International Development) five children with neuromuscular control deficits were brought aboard Mercy during its stay in Kupang for treatment. Mercy is in the fourth month of her five-month humanitarian and civic assistance deployment to South and Southeast Asia where her crew has already treated thousands of people. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Mike Leporati.

The Central American Coral Snake or in Spanish Serpiente-coralillo centroamericana (Micrurus nigrocinctus) is a beautiful but deadly creature. The venom of the Central American Coral Snake contains a neurotoxin that can, if it bites you, cause severe neuromuscular dysfunction. Or as I was told by one of the locals when I asked what it was, he responded by telling me it was a “One-way ticket to God”. This snake was not aggressive but deserved the greatest of respect. I would like to thank James Adams (owner of the Pico Bonito Lodge and an experienced herpetologist) for manipulating this beautiful snake so I could photograph it. Pico Bonito Lodge, Honduras.

Location: FH, Pahang, Malaysia

Toxicity: Highly venomous (likely to result in death if left untreated)

Length: 0.8-0.9 m but max. length is reported to be in the range of 2.1m (7 ft).

 

Description: The red-headed krait is a large venomous elapid snake with dramatic coloration. The head and tail are bright red while the rest of the upper body is black. The lower body (ventral) coloration of its head and tail are red while the rest of its ventral scales (neck to the anal scale) are white.

 

Currently two subspecies are recognised :

(i) B. f. flaviceps (refer to photo), which occurs throughout lowland and lower montane, and

(ii) B. f. baluensis. lower montane & montane form has banded tail (lower body) is decorated with black and white bands found only in Borneo.

 

Diet: Feed primarily on snakes and opportunistically feed on rodents, frogs, and other smaller reptiles (skink, gecko, lizards).

 

Distribution: Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malay Peninsula (and Borneo) and Indonesia.

 

Effect of snakebite: Krait venom appears to function primarily as a neurotoxin, preventing communication across neuromuscular synapses, causing paralysis and death by asphyxiation because the victims can no longer breathe on their own

 

Behavior: Nocturnal and partially aquatic. During daytime, RHK is sluggish, lethargic, and extremely inoffensive however during night time, RHK are normally active (hunting mode) hence quite dangerous.

 

Source: Wikipedia

Manny rides and I have to walk.I have joined the WALK for ALS in my community, because I would like to do my part to find a cure for ALS. I hope to be able to walk again this year!!

ALS, is also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, after the famous American baseball player who died of ALS in 1941. ALS is a progressive and ultimately fatal neuromuscular disease, which has no known cause, cure or drug therapy of consequence.. This devastating disease slowly robs the individual of the ability to walk, talk, and ultimately, to breathe.

secure.alsevents.ca/registrant/FundraisingPage.aspx?regis...

 

It's like a kata, same thing over and over. Neuromuscular memory fused with modern digital image recording technology.

 

I have joined the WALK for ALS in my community, because I would like to do my part to find a cure for ALS. I hope to be able to walk again this year!!

ALS, is also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, after the famous American baseball player who died of ALS in 1941. ALS is a progressive and ultimately fatal neuromuscular disease, which has no known cause, cure or drug therapy of consequence.. This devastating disease slowly robs the individual of the ability to walk, talk, and ultimately, to breathe.

secure.alsevents.ca/registrant/FundraisingPage.aspx?regis...

Lowland disturbed forest.

Bkt. Kiara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Length: The length of an adult's thumb

 

Important fun fact:

Shrews have unusually high metabolic rates, above that expected in comparable small mammals (Forsman, & Malmquist, 1988). If I remember correctly, it needs to feed every 3 hours (Nat Geo Wild).

 

Shrews are unusual among mammals in a number of respects. Unlike most mammals, some species of shrews are venomous. Shrew venom is not conducted into the wound by fangs, but by grooves in the teeth. The venom contains various compounds, and the contents of the venom glands of the American short-tailed shrew are sufficient to kill 200 mice by intravenous injection. One chemical extracted from shrew venom may be potentially useful in the treatment of high blood pressure, while another compound may be useful in the treatment of some neuromuscular diseases and migraines (Hutterer, Rainer; Vogel, & Peter, 1977). The saliva of the northern short-tailed shrew (Blarina brevicauda) contains soricidin, a peptide which has been studied for use in treating ovarian cancer (Hutterer, Vogel, Frey, & Genoud, 1979).

Source: Wikipedia

Puddling

Is male puddling behavior of tropical butterflies targeted at sodium for nuptial gifts or activity?

 

ABSTRACT

An apparent sexual difference in adult feeding behaviour in many species of Lepidoptera relates to puddling on mud, dung and carrion. In most butterfly species, puddling is exclusively a male behaviour. A possible explanation for this division in feeding behaviour is that nutrients derived from puddling are transferred to the female in the spermatophore during mating as a nuptial gift. Sodium derived from puddling has been shown to act as a nuptial gift in a few Lepidoptera species. It can also be used for neuromuscular activity in both males and females and may therefore correlate with flight morphology. In this study, we examine the generality of these two hypotheses in comparative work on a community of African fruit-feeding butterflies. We investigated puddling behaviour of males and females on carrion and dung together with sodium preferences, polyandry, relative wing-size, sexual size dimorphism and sodium concentrations in the bodies and spermatophores of several species. The results show that sodium as a nuptial gift can explain the sexual division in puddling in some species, but not in all. Species in which both sexes puddle transfer little sodium in the nuptial gift, which is consistent with the nuptial gift theory. Wing loading and puddling are not significantly correlated, but the trend followed the direction predicted by the activity hypothesis. However, the sodium concentration in the species with the smallest wing area to thoracic volume (WA/TV) ratio (the largest Charaxes spp.), was relatively low. Moreover, in all investigated species, the sodium concentration was higher in the abdomen than in the thorax. The results are discussed in the light of differences between the sexes in foraging behaviour in both larvae and adults, and with respect to alternative explanations for puddling. © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2005, 86, 345–361

 

Is male puddling behavior of tropical butterflies targeted at sodium for nuptial gifts or activity? (PDF Download Available). Available from: www.researchgate.net/publication/227807570_Is_male_puddli... [accessed Jan 15, 2016].

This species is sexually dimorphic: the females grow to approximately 1 m (39⅜ inches) in total length, while males typically do not exceed 75 cm (29½ inches). They have a large triangular-shaped head, with a relatively thin body. They are almost entirely arboreal, and the tail is prehensile to aid in climbing.

 

They are found in a wide variety of colors and patterns, often referred to as "phases". In the past, some researchers classified the different phases as subspecies. The phases vary greatly from having a black or brown coloration as a base, with orange and yellow banding to others having a light green as the base color, with yellow or orange banding, and many variations therein.

 

The venom of Tropidolaemus wagleri contains 4 novel peptides (Waglerins 1-4). The Waglerins produce fatal respiratory paralysis of adult mice. An initial study indicated that micromolar concentrations of Waglerin 1 act both pre- and postsynaptically to inhibit transmission across rat neuromuscular junctions. However, Waglerin-1 is a more potent inhibitor of transmission across the mouse neuromuscular junction. A subsequent study demonstrated that Waglerin-1 inhibited the adult mouse endplate response to acetylcholine with an IC50 of 50 nanomolar. In striking contrast, transmission across neuromuscular junctions of neonatal or transgenic mice lacking the adult acetylcholine receptor was not altered by micromolar concentrations of Waglerin-1. Biochemical studies demonstrated that the exquisite selectivity of Waglerin-1 for the adult mouse acetylcholine receptor relies upon several amino acid residues unique to the epsilon subunit of the adult mouse acetylcholine receptor. Waglerin-1's selectivity for the epsilon-subunit containing acetylcholine receptor of adult mice is complemented by selectivity of small peptide toxins purified from the venom of Conus geographus and pergrandis for the gamma-subunit containing acetylcholine receptor of neonatal skeletal muscle. The Waglerins and complementary conotoxins are useful tools to discover the contribution of acetylcholine receptor subunits to synaptogenesis. In addition, study of the Waglerins and related toxic peptides may lead to the discovery of novel molecular targets for drug development. While Waglerin-1 interacts with other members of the ligand-gated superfamily of ion channels, the potency is much less than for inhibition of the adult mouse muscle acetylcholine receptor. Structural study suggests that Waglerin-1 may undergo molecular rearrangement that allows for binding to multiple receptors. The actions of Waglerin-1 reverse upon removal of the peptide.

 

Waglerin-1 is included in several skin creams marketed as wrinkle removers. There is no scientific evidence supporting the manufacturers' suggestion that the Waglerin-1 included in their products relaxes wrinkle producing skeletal muscles.

Puddling

Is male puddling behavior of tropical butterflies targeted at sodium for nuptial gifts or activity?

 

ABSTRACT

An apparent sexual difference in adult feeding behaviour in many species of Lepidoptera relates to puddling on mud, dung and carrion. In most butterfly species, puddling is exclusively a male behaviour. A possible explanation for this division in feeding behaviour is that nutrients derived from puddling are transferred to the female in the spermatophore during mating as a nuptial gift. Sodium derived from puddling has been shown to act as a nuptial gift in a few Lepidoptera species. It can also be used for neuromuscular activity in both males and females and may therefore correlate with flight morphology. In this study, we examine the generality of these two hypotheses in comparative work on a community of African fruit-feeding butterflies. We investigated puddling behaviour of males and females on carrion and dung together with sodium preferences, polyandry, relative wing-size, sexual size dimorphism and sodium concentrations in the bodies and spermatophores of several species. The results show that sodium as a nuptial gift can explain the sexual division in puddling in some species, but not in all. Species in which both sexes puddle transfer little sodium in the nuptial gift, which is consistent with the nuptial gift theory. Wing loading and puddling are not significantly correlated, but the trend followed the direction predicted by the activity hypothesis. However, the sodium concentration in the species with the smallest wing area to thoracic volume (WA/TV) ratio (the largest Charaxes spp.), was relatively low. Moreover, in all investigated species, the sodium concentration was higher in the abdomen than in the thorax. The results are discussed in the light of differences between the sexes in foraging behaviour in both larvae and adults, and with respect to alternative explanations for puddling. © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2005, 86, 345–361

 

Is male puddling behavior of tropical butterflies targeted at sodium for nuptial gifts or activity? (PDF Download Available). Available from: www.researchgate.net/publication/227807570_Is_male_puddli... [accessed Jan 15, 2016].

Colour Sergeant

Puddling

Is male puddling behavior of tropical butterflies targeted at sodium for nuptial gifts or activity?

 

ABSTRACT

An apparent sexual difference in adult feeding behaviour in many species of Lepidoptera relates to puddling on mud, dung and carrion. In most butterfly species, puddling is exclusively a male behaviour. A possible explanation for this division in feeding behaviour is that nutrients derived from puddling are transferred to the female in the spermatophore during mating as a nuptial gift. Sodium derived from puddling has been shown to act as a nuptial gift in a few Lepidoptera species. It can also be used for neuromuscular activity in both males and females and may therefore correlate with flight morphology. In this study, we examine the generality of these two hypotheses in comparative work on a community of African fruit-feeding butterflies. We investigated puddling behaviour of males and females on carrion and dung together with sodium preferences, polyandry, relative wing-size, sexual size dimorphism and sodium concentrations in the bodies and spermatophores of several species. The results show that sodium as a nuptial gift can explain the sexual division in puddling in some species, but not in all. Species in which both sexes puddle transfer little sodium in the nuptial gift, which is consistent with the nuptial gift theory. Wing loading and puddling are not significantly correlated, but the trend followed the direction predicted by the activity hypothesis. However, the sodium concentration in the species with the smallest wing area to thoracic volume (WA/TV) ratio (the largest Charaxes spp.), was relatively low. Moreover, in all investigated species, the sodium concentration was higher in the abdomen than in the thorax. The results are discussed in the light of differences between the sexes in foraging behaviour in both larvae and adults, and with respect to alternative explanations for puddling. © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2005, 86, 345–361

 

Is male puddling behavior of tropical butterflies targeted at sodium for nuptial gifts or activity? (PDF Download Available). Available from: www.researchgate.net/publication/227807570_Is_male_puddli... [accessed Jan 15, 2016].

Lowland disturbed forest.

Bkt. Kiara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

 

Important fun fact:

Shrews have unusually high metabolic rates, above that expected in comparable small mammals (Forsman, & Malmquist, 1988). If I remember correctly, it needs to feed every 3 hours (Nat Geo Wild).

 

Shrews are unusual among mammals in a number of respects. Unlike most mammals, some species of shrews are venomous. Shrew venom is not conducted into the wound by fangs, but by grooves in the teeth. The venom contains various compounds, and the contents of the venom glands of the American short-tailed shrew are sufficient to kill 200 mice by intravenous injection. One chemical extracted from shrew venom may be potentially useful in the treatment of high blood pressure, while another compound may be useful in the treatment of some neuromuscular diseases and migraines (Hutterer, Rainer; Vogel, & Peter, 1977). The saliva of the northern short-tailed shrew (Blarina brevicauda) contains soricidin, a peptide which has been studied for use in treating ovarian cancer (Hutterer, Vogel, Frey, & Genoud, 1979).

Source: Wikipedia

ISS047e038968 (04/05/2016) --- ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Tim Peake operates the Muscle Atrophy Research and Exercise System (MARES) equipment inside the Columbus module. MARES is an ESA system that will be used for research on musculoskeletal, biomechanical, and neuromuscular human physiology to better understand the effects of microgravity on the muscular system.

Taken on 28th Nov 2015 of this year’s Chester Cathedral Christmas Tree Festival. This is the third year that the Chester Cathedral’s cloisters will be beautifully lit by 40 majestic Christmas trees. They have all been Sponsored and decorated by local schools and businesses and the public are invited to vote on their favourite tree. All the money raised from this event will goto a local charity, The NeuroMuscular Centre.

 

For more information see:

chestercathedral.com/event/christmas-tree-festival/

 

Taken as part of my 2015 #ChristmasInChester photo project.

Darla's not getting better and is even a bit worse. I have to carry her outside and to her water bowl. She'll walk around outside, but very slowly with tiny weak steps, and will fall down over the smallest bump. Problem is that other than the weakness, she seems fine. I'm thinking its some kind of neuromuscular disease, but to diagnosis one requires a spinal tap and other expensive tests. I've already spent over $1500 trying to find out what is wrong with her, but still no answers. With 5 other dogs, 2 cats, a cockatoo and a husband to worry about, I just don't have the money to spend on more tests. And based upon what I've been reading, even if a neuromuscular disease is confirmed, the prognosis isn't great. I'm so depressed over it. Taking her back to the same vet office this afternoon, but seeing a different vet. I hope this one can come up with an answer.

UPDATE: Saw new vet today. Based on Darla's exam and x-rays she suspects she has nerve compression in her spine. Not great news, but at least now we have a diagnosis and finally some medications. Now just have to pray that the medicine helps.

Puddling

Is male puddling behavior of tropical butterflies targeted at sodium for nuptial gifts or activity?

 

ABSTRACT

An apparent sexual difference in adult feeding behaviour in many species of Lepidoptera relates to puddling on mud, dung and carrion. In most butterfly species, puddling is exclusively a male behaviour. A possible explanation for this division in feeding behaviour is that nutrients derived from puddling are transferred to the female in the spermatophore during mating as a nuptial gift. Sodium derived from puddling has been shown to act as a nuptial gift in a few Lepidoptera species. It can also be used for neuromuscular activity in both males and females and may therefore correlate with flight morphology. In this study, we examine the generality of these two hypotheses in comparative work on a community of African fruit-feeding butterflies. We investigated puddling behaviour of males and females on carrion and dung together with sodium preferences, polyandry, relative wing-size, sexual size dimorphism and sodium concentrations in the bodies and spermatophores of several species. The results show that sodium as a nuptial gift can explain the sexual division in puddling in some species, but not in all. Species in which both sexes puddle transfer little sodium in the nuptial gift, which is consistent with the nuptial gift theory. Wing loading and puddling are not significantly correlated, but the trend followed the direction predicted by the activity hypothesis. However, the sodium concentration in the species with the smallest wing area to thoracic volume (WA/TV) ratio (the largest Charaxes spp.), was relatively low. Moreover, in all investigated species, the sodium concentration was higher in the abdomen than in the thorax. The results are discussed in the light of differences between the sexes in foraging behaviour in both larvae and adults, and with respect to alternative explanations for puddling. © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2005, 86, 345–361

 

Is male puddling behavior of tropical butterflies targeted at sodium for nuptial gifts or activity? (PDF Download Available). Available from: www.researchgate.net/publication/227807570_Is_male_puddli... [accessed Jan 15, 2016].

Puddling

Is male puddling behavior of tropical butterflies targeted at sodium for nuptial gifts or activity?

 

ABSTRACT

An apparent sexual difference in adult feeding behaviour in many species of Lepidoptera relates to puddling on mud, dung and carrion. In most butterfly species, puddling is exclusively a male behaviour. A possible explanation for this division in feeding behaviour is that nutrients derived from puddling are transferred to the female in the spermatophore during mating as a nuptial gift. Sodium derived from puddling has been shown to act as a nuptial gift in a few Lepidoptera species. It can also be used for neuromuscular activity in both males and females and may therefore correlate with flight morphology. In this study, we examine the generality of these two hypotheses in comparative work on a community of African fruit-feeding butterflies. We investigated puddling behaviour of males and females on carrion and dung together with sodium preferences, polyandry, relative wing-size, sexual size dimorphism and sodium concentrations in the bodies and spermatophores of several species. The results show that sodium as a nuptial gift can explain the sexual division in puddling in some species, but not in all. Species in which both sexes puddle transfer little sodium in the nuptial gift, which is consistent with the nuptial gift theory. Wing loading and puddling are not significantly correlated, but the trend followed the direction predicted by the activity hypothesis. However, the sodium concentration in the species with the smallest wing area to thoracic volume (WA/TV) ratio (the largest Charaxes spp.), was relatively low. Moreover, in all investigated species, the sodium concentration was higher in the abdomen than in the thorax. The results are discussed in the light of differences between the sexes in foraging behaviour in both larvae and adults, and with respect to alternative explanations for puddling. © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2005, 86, 345–361

 

Is male puddling behavior of tropical butterflies targeted at sodium for nuptial gifts or activity? (PDF Download Available). Available from: www.researchgate.net/publication/227807570_Is_male_puddli... [accessed Jan 15, 2016].

Brisbanes Story Bridge at Blue Hour. Taken on 8/6/2010, it was lit with teal to support International Myasthenia Gravis Awareness Month. Myasthenia Gravis (MG) is an autoimmune neuromuscular disorder that affects voluntary muscles Approximately 10-15 out of 100,000 individuals in Australia have been diagnosed with MG. However, MG is considered under-diagnosed and the prevalence is thought to be much higher. Myasthenia Gravis is considered a Rare Disease.

Pelargonium is a genus of flowering plants that includes about 280 species of perennials, succulents, and shrubs, commonly called geraniums, pelargoniums, or storksbills. Geranium is also the botanical name and common name of a separate genus of related plants, also known as cranesbills. Both genera belong to the family Geraniaceae. Carl Linnaeus originally included all the species in one genus, Geranium, and they were later separated into two genera by Charles Louis L'Héritier de Brutelle in 1789.

 

While Geranium species are mostly temperate herbaceous plants, dying down in winter, Pelargonium species are evergreen perennials indigenous to warm temperate and tropical regions of the world, with many species in southern Africa. They are drought and heat tolerant but can tolerate only minor frosts. Some species are extremely popular garden plants, grown as houseplants and bedding plants in temperate regions. They have a long flowering period, with flowers mostly in red, orange, or white, but intensive breeding has produced a huge array of cultivars with great variety in size, flower colour, leaf form and aromatic foliage.

 

Etymology

 

One of hundreds of garden and houseplant cultivars

The name Pelargonium is derived from the Greek πελαργός, pelargós (stork), because the seed head looks like a stork's beak. Dillenius originally suggested the name 'stork', because Geranium was named after a crane — "a πελαργός, ciconia, sicuti vocamus Gerania, γερανός, grus" (from pelargos, stork, as we call the Gerania, geranos, crane).

 

Description

Pelargonium occurs in a large number of growth forms, including herbaceous annuals, shrubs, subshrubs, stem succulents and geophytes. The erect stems bear five-petaled flowers in umbel-like clusters, which are occasionally branched. Because not all flowers appear simultaneously, but open from the centre outwards, this is a form of inflorescence is referred to as pseudoumbels.

 

The flower has a single symmetry plane (zygomorphic), which distinguishes it from the Geranium flower, which has radial symmetry (actinomorphic). Thus the lower three (anterior) petals are differentiated from the upper two (posterior) petals. The posterior sepal is fused with the pedicel to form a hypanthium (nectary tube). The nectary tube varies from only a few millimeters, up to several centimeters, and is an important floral characteristic in morphological classification. Stamens vary from 2 to 7, and their number, position relative to staminodes, and curvature are used to identify individual species. There are five stigmata in the style. For the considerable diversity in flower morphology, see figure 1 of Röschenbleck et al. (2014).

 

Leaves are usually alternate, and palmately lobed or pinnate, often on long stalks, and sometimes with light or dark patterns. The leaves of Pelargonium peltatum (Ivy-leaved Geranium), have a thick cuticle better adapting them for drought tolerance.

 

Taxonomy

 

Dillenius' introduction of the term 'Pelargonium' in Hortus Elthamensis 1732

 

Pelargonium inquinans, (Geranium Afric. arborescens), Hortus Elthamensis

Pelargonium is the second largest genus (after Geranium) within the family Geraniaceae, within which it is sister to the remaining genera of the family in its strict sense, Erodium, Geranium, and Monsonia including Sarcocaulon. The Geraniaceae have a number of genetic features unique amongst angiosperms, including highly rearranged plastid genomes differing in gene content, order and expansion of the inverted repeat.

 

Genus history

The name Pelargonium was first proposed by Dillenius in 1732, who described and illustrated seven species of geraniums from South Africa that are now classified as Pelargonium. Dillenius, who referred to these seven species with apparent unique characteristics as Geranium Africanum (African Geranium) suggested "Possent ergo ii, quibus novi generis cupido est, ea, quorum flores inaequales vel et irrregulares sunt, Pelargonia vocare" (Those who wish a new genus can therefore call those, whose flowers are unequal or irregular, ‘Pelargonia’). The name was then formally introduced by Johannes Burman in 1738. However Carl Linnaeus who first formally described these plants in 1753 did not recognise Pelargonium and grouped together in the same genus (Geranium) the three similar genera Erodium, Geranium, and Pelargonium. Linnaeus' reputation prevented further differentiation for forty years. The eventual distinction between them was made by Charles L’Héritier based on the number of stamens or anthers, seven in the case of Pelargonium. In 1774, P. cordatum, P. crispum, P. quercifolium and P. radula were introduced, followed by P. capitatum in 1790.

 

Circumscription

Pelargonium is distinguished from the other genera in the family Geraniaceae by the presence of a hypanthium, which consists of an adnate nectar spur with one nectary, as well as a generally zygomorphic floral symmetry.

 

Subdivision

De Candolle first proposed dividing the genus into 12 sections in 1824, based on the diversity of growth forms. Traditionally the large number of Pelargonium species have been treated as sixteen sections, based on the classification of Knuth (1912) who described 15 sections, as modified by van der Walt et al. (1977-1997) who added Chorisma, Reniformia and Subsucculentia.

 

These are as follows;

 

section Campylia (Lindley ex Sweet) de Candolle

section Chorisma (Lindley ex Sweet) de Candolle

section Ciconium (Sweet) Harvey

section Cortusina (DC.) Harvey

section Glaucophyllum Harvey

section Hoarea (Sweet) de Candolle

section Isopetalum (Sweet) de Candolle

section Jenkinsonia (Sweet) de Candolle

section Ligularia (Sweet) Harvey

section Myrrhidium de Candolle

section Otidia (Lindley ex Sweet) de Candolle

section Pelargonium (Sweet) Harvey

section Peristera de Candolle

section Polyactium de Candolle

section Reniformia (Knuth) Dreyer

section Subsucculentia J.J.A. van der Walt

Phylogenetic analyses

All subdivision classifications had depended primarily on morphological differences till the era of phylogenetic analyses (Price and Palmer 1993). However phylogenetic analysis shows only three distinct clades, labelled A, B and C. In this analysis not all sections were monophyletic, although some were strongly supported including Chorisma, Myrrhidium and Jenkinsonia, while other sections were more paraphyletic. This in turn has led to a proposal, informal at this stage, of a reformulation of the infrageneric subdivision of Pelargonium.

 

In the proposed scheme of Weng et al. there would be two subgenera, based on clades A+B, and C respectively and seven sections based on subclades. Subsequent analysis with an expanded taxa set confirmed this infrageneric subdivision into two groups which also correspond to chromosome length (<1.5 μ, 1.5-3.0μ), but also two subclades within each major clade, suggesting the presence of four subgenera, these correspond to clades A, B, C1 and C2 of the earlier analysis, A being by far the largest clade with 141 taxa. As before the internal structure of the clades supported monophyly of some sections (Myrrhidium, Chorisma, Reniformia, Pelargonium, Ligularia and Hoarea) but paraphyly in others (Jenkinsonia, Ciconium, Peristera). A distinct clade could be identified within the paraphyletic Polyactium, designated section Magnistipulacea. As a result, Polyactium has been split up to provide this new section, which in itself contains two subsections, Magnistipulacea and Schizopetala, following Knuth's original treatment of Polyactium as having four subsections.

 

Subgenus Pelargonium section Otidia: P. crithmifolium

Thus Röschenbleck et al. (2014) provide a complete revision of the subgeneric classification of Pelargonium based on four subgenera corresponding to their major clades (A, B, C1, C2);

 

subgenus Magnipetala Roeschenbl. & F. Albers Type: Pelargonium praemorsum (Andrews) F Dietrich

subgenus Parvulipetala Roeschenbl. & F. Albers Type: Pelargonium hypoleucum Turczaninow

subgenus Paucisignata Roeschenbl. & F. Albers Type: Pelargonium zonale (L.) L'Hér. in Aiton

subgenus Pelargonium L'Hér. Type: Pelargonium cucullatum (L.) Aiton

Sixteen sections were then assigned to the new subgenera as follows, although many species remained only assigned to subgenera at this stage

 

subgenus Magnipetala 3 sections

section Chorisma (Lindley ex Sweet) de Candolle - 4 species

section Jenkinsonia (Sweet) de Candolle - 11 species

section Myrrhidium de Candolle - 8 species

subgenus Parvulipetala 3 sections

section Isopetalum (Sweet) de Candolle - 1 species (Pelargonium cotyledonis (L.) L'Hér.)

section Peristera de Candolle - 30 species

section Reniformia (Knuth) Dreyer - 8 species

subgenus Paucisignata 2 sections

section Ciconium (Sweet) Harvey - 16 species

section Subsucculentia J.J.A. van der Walt - 3 species

subgenus Pelargonium 8 sections

section Campylia (Lindley ex Sweet) de Candolle - 9 species

section Cortusina (DC.) Harvey - 7 species

section Hoarea (Sweet) de Candolle - 72 species

section Ligularia (Sweet) Harvey - 10 species

section Magnistipulacea Roeschenbl. & F. Albers Type: Pelargonium schlecteri Knuth - 2 subsections

subsection Magnistipulacea Roeschenbl. & F. Albers Type: Pelargonium schlecteri Knuth - 2 species (P. schlecteri & P. luridum)

subsection Schizopetala (Knuth) Roeschenbl. & F. Albers Type: Pelargonium caffrum (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Steudel - 3 species (P. caffrum, P. bowkeri, P. schizopetalum)

section Otidia (Lindley ex Sweet) de Candolle - 14 species

section Pelargonium L'Hér. - 34 species

section Polyactium de Candolle - 2 subsections

subsection Caulescentia Knuth - 1 species (Pelargonium gibbosum)

subsection Polyactium de Candolle - 7 species

Subgenera

Subgenus Magnipetala: Corresponds to clade C1, with 24 species. Perennial to short lived, spreading subshrubs, rarely herbaceous annuals. Petals five, but may be four, colour mainly white. Mainly winter rainfall region of South Africa, spreading into summer rainfall region. One species in northern Namibia and Botswana. Two species in East Africa and Ethiopia. Chromosomes x=11 and 9.

 

Subgenus Parvulipetala: Corresponds to clade B, with 39-42 species. Perennials, partly annuals. Petals five and equal, colour white or pink to deep purplish red. Mainly South Africa, but also other southern hemisphere except South America. a few species in East Africa and Ethiopia. Chromosomes x=7-19.

 

Subgenus Paucisignata: Corresponds to clade C2, with 25-27 species. Erect sometimes trailing shrubs or subshrubs, rarely geophytes or semi-geophytes. Petals five and equal, colour pink to red sometimes white. Summer rainfall region of South Africa, spreading into winter rainfall region and northern Namibia, with a few species in tropical Africa, Ethiopia, Somalia, Madagascar, the Arabian Peninsula and Asia Minor. Chromosomes x=mainly 9 or 10, but from 4-18.

 

Subgenus Pelargonium: Corresponds to clade A, with 167 species. Frequently xerophytic deciduous perennials with many geophytes and succulent subshrubs, less frequently woody evergreen shrubs or annual herbs. Petals five, colour shades of pink to purple or yellow. Winter rainfall region of South Africa and adjacent Namibia, spreading to summer rainfall area, and two species in tropical Africa. Chromosomes x=11, may be 8-10.

 

Species

Main article: List of Pelargonium species

Pelargonium has around 280 species. Röschenbleck et al lists 281 taxa. There is considerable confusion as to which Pelargonium are true species, and which are cultivars or hybrids. The nomenclature has changed considerably since the first plants were introduced to Europe in the 17th century.

 

Distribution

Pelargonium is a large genus within the family Geraniaceae, which has a worldwide distribution in temperate to subtropical zones with some 800 mostly herbaceous species. Pelargonium itself is native to southern Africa (including Namibia) and Australia. Southern Africa contains 90% of the genus, with only about 30 species found elsewhere, predominantly the East African rift valley (about 20 species) and southern Australia, including Tasmania. The remaining few species are found in southern Madagascar, Yemen, Iraq, Asia Minor, the north of New Zealand and isolated islands in the south Atlantic Ocean (Saint Helena and Tristan da Cunha) and Socotra in the Indian Ocean. The centre of diversity is in southwestern South Africa where rainfall is confined to the winter, unlike the rest of the country where rainfall is predominantly in the summer months. Most of the Pelargonium plants cultivated in Europe and North America have their origins in South Africa.

 

Ecology

Pelargonium species are eaten by the caterpillars of some Lepidoptera species, including the noctuid moth angle shades, Phlogophora meticulosa. The diurnal butterflies Cacyreus marshalli and C. tespis (Lycaenidae), native to southern Africa, also feed on Geranium and Pelargonium. C. marshallii has been introduced to Europe and can develop into a pest on cultivated Pelargoniums. It has naturalised along the Mediterranean, but does not survive the winter in Westen Europe.

 

The Japanese beetle, an important agricultural insect pest, becomes rapidly paralyzed after consuming flower petals of the garden hybrids known as "zonal geraniums" (P. × hortorum). The phenomenon was first described in 1920, and subsequently confirmed. Research conducted by Dr. Christopher Ranger with the USDA Agricultural Research Service and other collaborating scientists have demonstrated the excitatory amino acid called quisqualic acid present within the flower petals is responsible for causing paralysis of the Japanese beetle. Quisqualic acid is thought to mimic L-glutamic acid, which is a neurotransmitter in the insect neuromuscular junction and mammalian central nervous system.

 

A study by the Laboratory of Apiculture & Social Insects group at the University of Sussex on the attractiveness of common garden plants to pollinators found that a cultivar of Pelargonium × hortorum was unattractive to pollinators in comparison to other selected garden plants such as Lavandula (lavender) and Origanum.

 

Pests and diseases

Main articles: List of geranium diseases, Pelargonium flower break virus, and Pelargonium line pattern virus

The geranium bronze butterfly is a pest of Pelargonium species. The larvae of the geranium bronze bore into the stem of the host plant, causing the stem to typically turn black and die soon after. Geranium bronze are currently listed as an A2 quarantine pest by the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization and can cause significant damage to Pelargonium species.

 

Cultivation

 

Pelargonium triste, the first species of its genus to be cultivated, here shown in its native habitat in Cape Town

Various types of Pelargonium are regular participants in flower shows and competitive events, with numerous societies devoted exclusively to their cultivation. They are easy to propagate vegetatively from cuttings. It is recommended that cuttings should have at least two nodes. Zonal geraniums grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 9 through 12. Zonal geraniums are basically tropical perennials. Although they are often grown as annuals, they may overwinter in zones as cool as zone 7.

 

Cultivation history

The first species of Pelargonium known to be cultivated was P. triste, a native of South Africa. It was probably brought to the Botanical Garden in Leiden before 1600 on ships which had stopped at the Cape of Good Hope. In 1631, the English gardener John Tradescant the elder bought seeds from Rene Morin in Paris and introduced the plant to England. By 1724, P. inquinans, P. odoratissimum, P. peltatum, P. vitifolium, and P. zonale had been introduced to Europe.

 

Cultivars

 

Zonal pelargonium

There was little attempt at any rational grouping of Pelargonium cultivars, the growing of which was revived in the mid-twentieth century, and the origins of many if not most were lost in obscurity. In 1916 the American botanist Liberty Hyde Bailey (1858–1954) introduced two new terms for zonal and regal pelargoniums. Those pelargoniums which were largely derived from P. zonale he referred to as P. × hortorum (i.e. from the garden), while those from P. cucullatum he named P. × domesticum (i.e. from the home) In the late 1950s a list (the Spalding List) was produced in the United States, based on nursery listings and the 1897 list of Henri Dauthenay. It described seven groups, listing each cultivar with the list of its originator, and in most cases a date. These were Species, Zonals, Variegated-Leaved, Domesticum (Regals), Ivy-Leaved, Scented-Leaved and Old. In the 1970s the British Pelargonium and Geranium Society produced a checklist and the Australian Geranium Society started to produce a register but it was not completed till its author, Jean Llewellyn's death in 1999. None of these were published. The most complete list in its time was the 2001 compilation by The Geraniaceae Group, which included all cultivars up to 1959.

 

Registration of cultivars is the responsibility of the Pelargonium & Geranium Society (PAGS: formed in 2009 from the British Pelargonium and Geranium Society and the British and European Geranium Society) which administers the International Register of Pelargonium Cultivars. PAGS is the International Cultivar Registration Authority (ICRA) of the International Society for Horticultural Science for pelargoniums.

  

Contrasting leaves: Ivy-leaved Group (Left) Zonal Group (Right)

Cultivated pelargoniums are commonly divided into six groups in addition to species pelargoniums and primary hybrids. The following list is ordered by position in the PAGS classification. Abbreviations indicate Royal Horticultural Society usage.

 

A. Zonal (Z)

B. Ivy-leaved (I)

C. Regal (R)

D. Angel (A)

E. Unique (U)

F. Scented-leaved (Sc)

G. Species

H. Primary hybrids

Of these, A, U and Sc groups are sometimes lumped together as Species Derived (Sppd). This term implies that they are closely related to a species from which they were derived, and do not fit into the R, I or Z groups.

 

In addition to the primary groups, additional descriptors are used. The Royal Horticultural Society has created description codes. These include;

 

Cactus (Ca)

Coloured foliage (C)

Decorative (Dec)

Double (d)

Dwarf (Dw)

Dwarf Ivy-leaved (Dwl)

Frutetorum (Fr)

Miniature (Min)

Miniature Ivy-leaved (MinI)

Stellar (St)

Tulip (T)

Variegated (v)

These may then be combined to form the code, e.g. Pelargonium 'Chelsea Gem' (Z/d/v), indicating Zonal Double with variegated foliage. Crosses between groups are indicated with an ×, e.g. Pelargonium 'Hindoo' (R × U), indicating a Regal × Unique cross.

 

A. Zonal pelargoniums (Pelargonium × hortorum Bailey)

 

Pelargonium × hortorum (Zonal)

These are known as zonal geraniums because many have zones or patterns in the center of the leaves,[36] this is the contribution of the Pelargonium zonale parent. Common names include storksbill, fish or horseshoe geraniums.[50] They are also referred to as Pelargonium × hortorum Bailey. Zonal pelargoniums are tetraploid, mostly derived from P. inquinans and P. zonale, together with P. scandens and P. frutetorum.

 

Zonal pelargoniums are mostly bush-type plants with succulent stems grown for the beauty of their flowers, traditionally red, salmon, violet, white or pink. The scarlet colouring is attributed to the contribution of P. inquinans. Flowers may be double or single. They are the pelargoniums most often confused with genus Geranium, particularly in summer bedding arrangements. This incorrect nomenclature is widely used in horticulture, particularly in North America.

 

Zonals include a variety of plant types along with genetic hybrids such as hybrid ivy-leaved varieties that display little or no ivy leaf characteristics (the Deacons varieties), or the Stellar varieties. Hybrid zonals are crosses between zonals and either a species or species-derived pelargonium. There are hundreds of zonal cultivars available for sale, and like other cultivars are sold in series such as 'Rocky Mountain', each of which is named after its predominant colour, e.g. 'Rocky Mountain Orange', 'White', 'Dark Red', etc.

  

'Rocky Mountain Orange' (Zonal)

(i) Basic plants – Mature plants with foliage normally exceeding 180 mm (7 in) in height above the rim of the pot. For exhibition these should be grown in a pot exceeding 120 mm (4+3⁄4 in) in diameter but not normally exceeding 165 mm (6+1⁄2 in).

(ii) Dwarf plants – Smaller than basic. Mature plants with foliage more than 125 mm (5 in) above the rim of the pot, but not normally more than 180 mm (7 in). For exhibition should be grown in a pot exceeding 90 mm (3+1⁄2 in) but not exceeding 120 mm (4+3⁄4 in). They should not exceed 200 mm in height, grown in an 11 cm pot.

(iii) Miniature plants – Slowly growing pelargoniums. Mature plants with foliage normally less than 125 mm (5 in) above the rim of the pot. For exhibition should be grown in a pot not exceeding 90 mm (3+1⁄2 in). They should not exceed 125 mm in height, grown in a 9 cm pot.

(iv) Micro-miniature plants – Smaller and more slowly growing than miniature pelargoniums. Mature plants with foliage normally less than 100 mm (4 in) above the rim of the pot. They should not exceed 75 mm in height, grown in a 6 cm pot. Usually no separate classes for these in exhibition and will therefore normally be shown as Miniature Zonals.

(v) Deacon varieties –Genetic hybrid similar to a large Dwarf. For exhibition (when shown in a separate class), usually grown in a pot not exceeding 125 mm (5 in), otherwise as for Dwarf Zonals.

(vi) Stellar varieties – A relatively modern genetic hybrid originating from the work done by the Australian hybridiser Ted Both in the late 1950s and 1960s from crosses between Australian species and Zonal types. Easily identifiable by their distinctive half-star-shaped leaves and slim-petalled blooms which create an impression of being star shaped (or five fingered). Single varieties tend to have larger elongated triangular petals whereas doubles tend to have thin feathered petals that are tightly packed together. For exhibition purposes there is a separate class for 'Stellar' varieties, but being Zonals could be shown in an open class for Basic, Dwarf or Miniature Zonals (unless otherwise stated). Also known as "The Five-fingered Geraniums", "Staphysagroides", "Both’s Staphs", "Both’s Hybrid Staphs", "Fingered Flowers" and "Bodey’s Formosum Hybrids".

Fancy-leaf zonal pelargoniums – besides having green leaves with or without zoning, this group also have variable coloured foliage[50] that is sometimes used in classifying for exhibition purposes, e.g. ‘Bicolour’, ‘Tricolour’, ‘Bronze’ or ‘Gold’. Other foliage types are: ‘Black’ or ‘Butterfly’. There are an increasing number of these plants with showy blooms;

 

(a) Bicolour – includes those with white or cream veined leaves or those with two distinct colours with clearly defined edges, other than the basic zone.

(b) Tricolour – (May be Silver Tricolour (usually called a Silver Leaf) or a Gold Tricolour).

(i) Gold Tricolour – Leaves of many colours including red and gold, but usually with clearly defined edges of golden yellow and having a leaf zone, usually red or bronze, that overlays two or more of the other distinct leaf colours, so that the zone itself appears as two or more distinct colours.

(ii) Silver Tricolour or Silver Leaf – These tend to resemble a normal bi-colour leaf plant with two distinct colours usually of green and pale cream or white; the third colour is usually made up of bronze zoning. When this zoning overlays the green part of the leaf it is deemed to represent a silver colour.

(c) Bronze Leaved – Leaves of Green or Golden/Green with a heavy bronze or chestnut coloured centre zone which is known as a medallion. For exhibition purposes, when exhibited in specific ‘Bronze’ Leaf class – Must have over 50% of leaf surface bronze coloured. The dwarf plant ‘Overchurch’ which has a heavy bronze medallion.

(d) Gold Leaved – Leaves coloured golden/yellow or green/yellow but not showing a tendency to green. For exhibition purposes, when exhibited in specific ‘Gold’ Leaf class – Must have over 50% of leaf surface gold coloured.

(e) Black Leaved – Leaves coloured black, purple-black or with distinct large dark zones or centre markings on green.

(f) Butterfly Leaved – Leaves with a butterfly marking of distinct tone or hue in centre of leaf. This can be encompassed in many of the coloured leaf varieties.

Zonal pelargoniums have many flower types, as follows:

 

(a) Single flowered (S) – each flower pip normally having no more than five petals. This is the standard flower set for all Pelargoniums.

(b) Semi-double flowered (SD) – each flower pip normally having between six and nine petals.

(c) Double flowered (D)– each flower pip composed of more than nine petals (i.e. double the standard flower set) but not ‘hearted’ like the bud of a rose, e.g. the dwarf ‘Dovepoint’ which has full double blooms.

(d) Rosebud (or noisette) flowered – each bloom fully double and ‘hearted’. The middle petals are so numerous that they remain unopened like the bud of a rose.

(e) Tulip flowered – having semi-double blooms that never fully open. The large cup shaped petals open just sufficiently to resemble a miniature tulip.

(f) Bird's-egg group – having blooms with petals that have spots in a darker shade than the base colour, like many birds eggs.

(g) Speckled flowered group – having petals that are marked with splashes and flecks of another colour, e.g. ‘Vectis Embers’.

(h) Quilled (or cactus-flowered group, or poinsettia in USA) – having petals twisted and furled like a quill.

“Zonquil” pelargoniums result from a cross between Zonal pelargonium cultivars and P. quinquelobatum.

 

B. Ivy-leaved pelargoniums (derived from Pelargonium peltatum)

 

Pelargonium peltatum (Ivy-leaved)

Also known as "ivy geraniums". Usually of lax growth (trailing), mainly due to the long thin stems, with thick, waxy ivy-shaped stiff fleshy evergreen leaves developed by the species P. peltatum to retain moisture during periods of drought. Much used for hanging pots, tubs and basket cultivation. In the UK the bulbous double-headed types are preferred whilst on the European continent the balcon single types for large-scale hanging floral displays are favoured. Ivy-leaved pelargoniums embrace all such growth size types including small-leaved varieties and genetic hybrid crosses, which display little or no zonal characteristics. May have bicolour leaves and may have flowers that are single, double or rosette. Ivy pelargoniums are often sold as series such as 'Great Balls of Fire', in a variety of colours such as 'Great Balls of Fire Burgundy'.

 

Additional descriptive terms include;

 

Hybrid Ivy — the result of ivy × zonal crosses, but still more closely resemble ivy-leaved pelargoniums.

Fancy leaf — leaves with marked color variation, together with or other than green.

Miniature — miniature leaves and flowers, stems with short nodes, and compact growth. e.g. 'Sugar Baby' listed as Dwarf Ivy (DwI) by RHS.

C. Regal pelargoniums (Pelargonium × domesticum Bailey)

 

'Karl Offenstein' (Regal)

These are large bush-type floriferous evergreen pelargoniums. In addition to "Regals" they are also known as “Show Pelargoniums”. In the United States they are often known as the "Martha Washington" or ‘"Lady Washington" pelargoniums. They are grown primarily for the beauty and richness of their flower heads, which are large. Most of those cultivars grown currently are the result of hybridization over the last 50 years. They are very short-jointed and compact, which results in their requiring very little work in order to create a floriforous and well-rounded plant. Flowers are single, rarely double, in mauve, pink, purple or white. They have rounded, sometimes lobed or partially toothed (serrated) leaves, unlike the Zonal groups, without any type of zoning.

 

Additional descriptive terms include;

Decorative pelargoniums (Decoratives) – Descendants of older, less compact, smaller-flowered varieties that are more suited to outdoor conditions. These have smaller flowers than Regal, but are otherwise similar. e.g. ‘Royal Ascot’

Miniature – Flowers and leaves similar to Regal, but miniature in form, with compact growth. Other terms include “Pansy Geraniums” or “Pansy Pelargoniums”. e.g. ‘Lara Susan’

Oriental pelargoniums – The result of crosses between Regals and members of the Angel group (see below). Some have bicolour foliage.

D. Angel pelargoniums (derived from Pelargonium crispum)

 

'Angeleyes Randy' (Angel)

Angel pelargoniums are similar to Regal pelargoniums but more closely resemble P. crispum in leaf shape and growth habit. The majority of Angel cultivars originate from a cross between P. crispum and a Regal variety in the early part of the 20th century. Angels have grown in popularity in the last 30 years or so due mainly to an explosion of new varieties being released by specialist nurseries resulting from the work done by dedicated amateur hybridisers. These hybrisers have managed to obtain many new flower colour breaks and tighter growth habits resulting in plants suitable for all sorts of situations. Angels basically have the appearance of a small Regal with small serrated leaves and much smaller flowers and are more compact and bushy. The group extends to include similar small-leaved and -flowered types but usually with P. crispum in their parentage. They are mostly upright bush-type plants but there are some lax varieties that can be used for basket or hanging pot cultivation. Often called "pansy-faced" in the US. Some varieties have bicolour foliage. Other terms include ‘Langley-Smith Hybrids’.

 

E. Unique pelargoniums (derived from Pelargonium fulgidum)

 

Unique in sense of not fitting into any of the above categories. The parentage of Unique pelargoniums is confused and obscure. One theory being a derivation from P. fulgidum, but a derivation from an older cultivar 'Old Unique’, also known as or ‘Rollinson’s Crimson’, in the mid-19th century is also claimed. Unique pelargoniums resemble upright Scented Leaf pelargoniums in being shrubby and woody evergreens. They have distinctly scented leaves, and small flowers with blotched and feathered petals. They may have bicolour foliage. Some types, popularly known in the hobby as hybrid Uniques, have been crossed with Regal pelargoniums and, as a result of this cross, are much more floriferous.

 

Cultivar

Pelargonium graveolens (Scented leaf)

Shrubby evergreen perennials grown chiefly for their fragrance, may be species or cultivars but all must have a clear and distinct scented foliage. Scent is emitted when the leaves are touched or bruised with some scents aromatic, others pungent and in a few cases, quite unpleasant. Several of the scented leaved pelargoniums are grown for the oil geraniol, which is extracted from the leaves and is an essential oil much used commercially in perfumery. The scent of some species growing in their natural habitat, acts as a deterrent to grazing animals who appear to dislike the emitted scent. Conversely, it also attracts other insect life to visit the bloom and pollinate the plant. The scented leaves can be used for potpourri and they also have a use as flavourings in cooking. Occasionally scented types can be found in some of the other groups mentioned; for example, the Angels, having P. crispum in their genetic makeup, can often have a strong citrus scent. Leaves are lobed, toothed, incised or variegated. Growth habit is very variable, but the flowers are less prominent than other groups, and most closely resemble the species they originated from.

 

These include:

Pelargonium ionidiflorum (Scented leaf)

Almond - Pelargonium quercifolium

Apple - Pelargonium odoratissimum

Apple - Pelargonium cordifolium

Apple/Mint - Pelargonium album

Apricot/Lemon - Pelargonium scabrum

Balsam - Pelargonium panduriforme

Camphor - Pelargonium betulinum

Celery - Pelargonium ionidiflorum

Cinnamon - Pelargonium 'Ardwyck Cinnamon'

Coconut - Pelargonium grossalarioides (Pelargonium parriflorum)

Eau de Cologne - Pelargonium 'Brilliantine'

Eucalyptus - Pelargonium 'Secret Love'

Grapefruit - Pelargonium 'Poquita'

Ginger - Pelargonium 'Torrento' or 'Cola Bottles' which is a variety of Pelargonium x nervosum

Hazelnut - Pelargonium 'Odorata Hazelnut

Lavender - Pelargonium 'Lavender Lindy'

Lemon - Pelargonium crispum

Lemon - Pelargonium citronellum (Synonym - Pelargonium 'Mabel Grey')

Lemon Balm - Pelargonium x melissinum

Lime - Pelargonium x nervosum

Myrrh - Pelargonium myrrhifolium

Nutmeg - Pelargonium x fragrans

Old Spice - Variety of Pelargonium x fragrans

Orange - Pelargonium x citriodorum (Synonym - Pelargonium 'Prince of Orange')

Peach - Pelargonium 'Peaches and Cream'

Peppermint - Pelargonium tomentosum

Pine - Pelargonium denticulatum

Pineapple - Pelargonium 'Brilliant'

Raspberry - Pelargonium 'Red Raspberry'

Rose - Pelargonium graveolens (Synonym - Pelargonium roseum)

Rose - Pelargonium capitatum

Rose - Pelargonium radens

Southernwood - Pelargonium abrotanifolium

Spicy - Pelargonium exstipulatum

Strawberry - Pelargonium x scarboroviae

Cultivars

'Attar of Roses' - a cultivar of P. capitatum

'Crowfoot Rose' - a cultivar of P. radens

'Dr. Livingston' - a cultivar of P. radens

'Grey Lady Plymouth' - a cultivar of P. graveolens

'Prince Rupert' - a cultivar of P. crispum

G. Species pelargoniums

The species are the forefathers of all the cultivar groups listed above. In general, the definition of a species is that it breeds true, and is to be found doing this in the "wild". Species pelargoniums have a large diversity of characteristics in habit, shape, size and colour, which probably accounts for them having retained their popularity for more than 300 years.

 

H. Primary hybrids

A primary hybrid is recognised as being the resultant plant from a first-time cross between two different known species. Examples are P. × ardens – from P. lobatum × P. fulgidum (1810). P. × glauciifolium – from P. gibbosum × P. lobatum (1822). Usually, but not always, primary hybrids are sterile.

 

The following is a selection of pelargoniums which have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:

 

'Attar of Roses' (rose scented leaves, pink flowers)

'Citriodorum' (lemon scented leaves, rose pink flowers

'Dolly Varden' (variegated leaves, scarlet flowers)

'Frank Headley' (cream vareigated leaves, salmon pink flowers)

'Fringed Aztec' (white & purple fringed flowers)

'Gemstone' (scented leaves, pink flowers)

'Grace Thomas' (lemon scented leaves, pale pink flowers)

'Joy' (pink & white frilled flowers)

'Lady Plymouth' (P. graveolens variegata - small mauve flowers)

'Lara Candy Dancer' (scented leaves, pale mauve flowers)

'Lara Starshine' (aromatic leaves, lilac flowers.

'L'Élégante' (ivy-leaved, trailing, white and purple flowers)

'Mabel Grey' (lemon-scented leaves, mauve flowers)

'Mrs Quilter' (bronze leaves, salmon pink flowers)

'Radula' (lemon & rose scented leaves, pink & purple flowers)

'Royal Oak' (balsam scented leaves, mauve flowers)

'Spanish Angel' (lilac & magenta flowers)

'Sweet Mimosa' (balsam-scented leaves, pale pink flowers)

'Tip Top Duet' (pink & wine-red flowers)

'Voodoo' (crimson & black flowers)

P. tomentosum (peppermint-scented leaves, small white flowers)

Usage

Ornamental plants

Pelargoniums rank as one of the highest number of potted flowering plants sold and also in terms of wholesale value.

 

Scented leaf pelargoniums

Other than being grown for their beauty, species such as P. graveolens are important in the perfume industry and are cultivated and distilled for their scents. Although scented pelargoniums exist which have smells of citrus, mint, pine, spices or various fruits, the varieties with rose scents are most commercially important. Pelargonium distillates and absolutes, commonly known as "scented geranium oil" are sometimes used to supplement or adulterate expensive rose oils. The oils of the scented pelargoniums contain citronellol, geraniol, eugenol, alpha-pinene and many other compounds. The edible leaves and flowers are also used as a flavouring in desserts, cakes, jellies and teas. Scented-leafed pelargoniums can be used to flavor jellies, cakes, butters, ice cream, iced tea and other dishes, The rose-, lemon- and peppermint-scents are most commonly used. Also used are those with hints of peach, cinnamon and orange. Commonly used lemon-scented culinary species include P. crispum and P. citronellum. Rose-scenteds include P. graveolens and members of the P. graveolens cultivar group. Other species and cultivars with culinary use include the lime-scented P. ‘Lime’, the lemon balm-scented P. ‘Lemon Balm’, the strawberry-lemon-scented P. ‘Lady Scarborough’ and the peppermint-scented P. tomentosum.[81] Scented leaf pelargoniums have also been historically used as toilet paper by fishermen in remote places, such as the Minquiers.

 

Herbal medicine

In herbal medicine, Pelargonium has been used for intestinal problems, wounds and respiratory ailments, but Pelargonium species have also been used for fevers, kidney complaints and other conditions. Geranium (Pelargonium) oil is considered a relaxant in aromatherapy, and in recent years, respiratory/cold remedies made from P. sidoides and P. reniforme have been sold in Europe and the United States. P. sidoides along with Echinacea is used for bronchitis. P. odoratissimum is used for its astringent, tonic and antiseptic effects. It is used internally for debility, gastroenteritis, and hemorrhage and externally for skin complaints, injuries, and neuralgia and throat infections. The essential oil is used in aromatherapy.

 

Pets

According to the ASPCA, these plants are toxic to cats, dogs, and horses.

 

Chemistry

Pelargonin (pelargonidin 3,5-O-diglucoside) is a petal pigment of the scarlet pelargonium.

 

Culture

The chemist, John Dalton, realized that he was color blind in 1794 when he heard others describe the color of the flowers of the pink Pelargonium zonale as pink or red, when to him it looked either pink or blue, having no relationship to red at all.

Puddling

Is male puddling behavior of tropical butterflies targeted at sodium for nuptial gifts or activity?

 

ABSTRACT

An apparent sexual difference in adult feeding behaviour in many species of Lepidoptera relates to puddling on mud, dung and carrion. In most butterfly species, puddling is exclusively a male behaviour. A possible explanation for this division in feeding behaviour is that nutrients derived from puddling are transferred to the female in the spermatophore during mating as a nuptial gift. Sodium derived from puddling has been shown to act as a nuptial gift in a few Lepidoptera species. It can also be used for neuromuscular activity in both males and females and may therefore correlate with flight morphology. In this study, we examine the generality of these two hypotheses in comparative work on a community of African fruit-feeding butterflies. We investigated puddling behaviour of males and females on carrion and dung together with sodium preferences, polyandry, relative wing-size, sexual size dimorphism and sodium concentrations in the bodies and spermatophores of several species. The results show that sodium as a nuptial gift can explain the sexual division in puddling in some species, but not in all. Species in which both sexes puddle transfer little sodium in the nuptial gift, which is consistent with the nuptial gift theory. Wing loading and puddling are not significantly correlated, but the trend followed the direction predicted by the activity hypothesis. However, the sodium concentration in the species with the smallest wing area to thoracic volume (WA/TV) ratio (the largest Charaxes spp.), was relatively low. Moreover, in all investigated species, the sodium concentration was higher in the abdomen than in the thorax. The results are discussed in the light of differences between the sexes in foraging behaviour in both larvae and adults, and with respect to alternative explanations for puddling. © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2005, 86, 345–361

 

Is male puddling behavior of tropical butterflies targeted at sodium for nuptial gifts or activity? (PDF Download Available). Available from: www.researchgate.net/publication/227807570_Is_male_puddli... [accessed Jan 15, 2016].

Puddling

Is male puddling behavior of tropical butterflies targeted at sodium for nuptial gifts or activity?

 

ABSTRACT

An apparent sexual difference in adult feeding behaviour in many species of Lepidoptera relates to puddling on mud, dung and carrion. In most butterfly species, puddling is exclusively a male behaviour. A possible explanation for this division in feeding behaviour is that nutrients derived from puddling are transferred to the female in the spermatophore during mating as a nuptial gift. Sodium derived from puddling has been shown to act as a nuptial gift in a few Lepidoptera species. It can also be used for neuromuscular activity in both males and females and may therefore correlate with flight morphology. In this study, we examine the generality of these two hypotheses in comparative work on a community of African fruit-feeding butterflies. We investigated puddling behaviour of males and females on carrion and dung together with sodium preferences, polyandry, relative wing-size, sexual size dimorphism and sodium concentrations in the bodies and spermatophores of several species. The results show that sodium as a nuptial gift can explain the sexual division in puddling in some species, but not in all. Species in which both sexes puddle transfer little sodium in the nuptial gift, which is consistent with the nuptial gift theory. Wing loading and puddling are not significantly correlated, but the trend followed the direction predicted by the activity hypothesis. However, the sodium concentration in the species with the smallest wing area to thoracic volume (WA/TV) ratio (the largest Charaxes spp.), was relatively low. Moreover, in all investigated species, the sodium concentration was higher in the abdomen than in the thorax. The results are discussed in the light of differences between the sexes in foraging behaviour in both larvae and adults, and with respect to alternative explanations for puddling. © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2005, 86, 345–361

 

Is male puddling behavior of tropical butterflies targeted at sodium for nuptial gifts or activity? (PDF Download Available). Available from: www.researchgate.net/publication/227807570_Is_male_puddli... [accessed Jan 15, 2016].

 

Taken on 28th Nov 2015 of this year’s Chester Cathedral Christmas Tree Festival. This is the third year that the Chester Cathedral’s cloisters will be beautifully lit by 40 majestic Christmas trees. They have all been Sponsored and decorated by local schools and businesses and the public are invited to vote on their favourite tree. All the money raised from this event will goto a local charity, The NeuroMuscular Centre.

 

For more information see:

chestercathedral.com/event/christmas-tree-festival/

 

Taken as part of my 2015 #ChristmasInChester photo project.

Setmana Santa Marinera

Poblats Maritims [Grau, Cabanyal i Canyamelar] – València

País Valencià

 

DOMINGO DE RAMOS - MARIO ADNET & BADEN POWELL

 

Un badall és l'acció incontrolada d'obrir la boca, amb separació molt àmplia de les mandíbules, per tal de realitzar una inspiració profunda seguida d'una espiració una mica més petita, amb tancament final. Quan es badalla, a més, s'estiren els músculs facials, s'inclina el cap endarrere, es tanquen els ulls, es produeix saliva, s'obren les trompes d'Eustaqui de l'orella mitjana i es fan altres accions, encara que imprecises, de tipus cardiovascular, neuromuscular i respiratori. És una acció comuna entre els animals vertebrats. Els mamífers i la majoria dels animals que tenen columna vertebral badallen, incloent els peixos, les serps, les tortugues, els cocodrils i les aus. El badall és un poderós missatge no verbal amb diversos possibles significats, depenent de les circumstàncies, encara que en aquest cas de la jove penitent del diumenge de rams al Cabanyal [València] apostarem sobre segur què es tracta d'un indicador d’avorriment.

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Un bostezo es la acción incontrolada de abrir la boca, con separación muy amplia de las mandíbulas, para realizar una inspiración profunda seguida de una espiración algo más pequeña, con cierre final. Cuando se bosteza, además, se estiran los músculos faciales, se inclina la cabeza hacia atrás, se cierran los ojos, se produce saliva, se abren las trompas de Eustaquio del oído medio y se hacen otras acciones, aunque imprecisas, de tipo cardiovascular, neuromuscular y respiratorio. Es una acción común entre los animales vertebrados. Los mamíferos y la mayoría de los animales que tienen columna vertebral bostezan, incluyendo los peces, las serpientes, las tortugas, los cocodrilos y las aves. El bostezo es un poderoso mensaje no verbal con varios posibles significados, dependiendo de las circunstancias, aunque en este caso de la jovent penitente del domingo de ramos en el Cabanyal [València] apostaremos sobre seguro que se trata de un indicador de aburrimiento.

 

Puddling

Is male puddling behavior of tropical butterflies targeted at sodium for nuptial gifts or activity?

 

ABSTRACT

An apparent sexual difference in adult feeding behaviour in many species of Lepidoptera relates to puddling on mud, dung and carrion. In most butterfly species, puddling is exclusively a male behaviour. A possible explanation for this division in feeding behaviour is that nutrients derived from puddling are transferred to the female in the spermatophore during mating as a nuptial gift. Sodium derived from puddling has been shown to act as a nuptial gift in a few Lepidoptera species. It can also be used for neuromuscular activity in both males and females and may therefore correlate with flight morphology. In this study, we examine the generality of these two hypotheses in comparative work on a community of African fruit-feeding butterflies. We investigated puddling behaviour of males and females on carrion and dung together with sodium preferences, polyandry, relative wing-size, sexual size dimorphism and sodium concentrations in the bodies and spermatophores of several species. The results show that sodium as a nuptial gift can explain the sexual division in puddling in some species, but not in all. Species in which both sexes puddle transfer little sodium in the nuptial gift, which is consistent with the nuptial gift theory. Wing loading and puddling are not significantly correlated, but the trend followed the direction predicted by the activity hypothesis. However, the sodium concentration in the species with the smallest wing area to thoracic volume (WA/TV) ratio (the largest Charaxes spp.), was relatively low. Moreover, in all investigated species, the sodium concentration was higher in the abdomen than in the thorax. The results are discussed in the light of differences between the sexes in foraging behaviour in both larvae and adults, and with respect to alternative explanations for puddling. © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2005, 86, 345–361

 

Is male puddling behavior of tropical butterflies targeted at sodium for nuptial gifts or activity? (PDF Download Available). Available from: www.researchgate.net/publication/227807570_Is_male_puddli... [accessed Jan 15, 2016].

Puddling

Is male puddling behavior of tropical butterflies targeted at sodium for nuptial gifts or activity?

 

ABSTRACT

An apparent sexual difference in adult feeding behaviour in many species of Lepidoptera relates to puddling on mud, dung and carrion. In most butterfly species, puddling is exclusively a male behaviour. A possible explanation for this division in feeding behaviour is that nutrients derived from puddling are transferred to the female in the spermatophore during mating as a nuptial gift. Sodium derived from puddling has been shown to act as a nuptial gift in a few Lepidoptera species. It can also be used for neuromuscular activity in both males and females and may therefore correlate with flight morphology. In this study, we examine the generality of these two hypotheses in comparative work on a community of African fruit-feeding butterflies. We investigated puddling behaviour of males and females on carrion and dung together with sodium preferences, polyandry, relative wing-size, sexual size dimorphism and sodium concentrations in the bodies and spermatophores of several species. The results show that sodium as a nuptial gift can explain the sexual division in puddling in some species, but not in all. Species in which both sexes puddle transfer little sodium in the nuptial gift, which is consistent with the nuptial gift theory. Wing loading and puddling are not significantly correlated, but the trend followed the direction predicted by the activity hypothesis. However, the sodium concentration in the species with the smallest wing area to thoracic volume (WA/TV) ratio (the largest Charaxes spp.), was relatively low. Moreover, in all investigated species, the sodium concentration was higher in the abdomen than in the thorax. The results are discussed in the light of differences between the sexes in foraging behaviour in both larvae and adults, and with respect to alternative explanations for puddling. © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2005, 86, 345–361

 

Is male puddling behavior of tropical butterflies targeted at sodium for nuptial gifts or activity? (PDF Download Available). Available from: www.researchgate.net/publication/227807570_Is_male_puddli... [accessed Jan 15, 2016].

April 29, 2017 is "The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day"

 

Pharmaceuticals photography.

Pelargonium is a genus of flowering plants that includes about 280 species of perennials, succulents, and shrubs, commonly called geraniums, pelargoniums, or storksbills. Geranium is also the botanical name and common name of a separate genus of related plants, also known as cranesbills. Both genera belong to the family Geraniaceae. Carl Linnaeus originally included all the species in one genus, Geranium, and they were later separated into two genera by Charles Louis L'Héritier de Brutelle in 1789.

 

While Geranium species are mostly temperate herbaceous plants, dying down in winter, Pelargonium species are evergreen perennials indigenous to warm temperate and tropical regions of the world, with many species in southern Africa. They are drought and heat tolerant but can tolerate only minor frosts. Some species are extremely popular garden plants, grown as houseplants and bedding plants in temperate regions. They have a long flowering period, with flowers mostly in red, orange, or white, but intensive breeding has produced a huge array of cultivars with great variety in size, flower colour, leaf form and aromatic foliage.

 

Etymology

 

One of hundreds of garden and houseplant cultivars

The name Pelargonium is derived from the Greek πελαργός, pelargós (stork), because the seed head looks like a stork's beak. Dillenius originally suggested the name 'stork', because Geranium was named after a crane — "a πελαργός, ciconia, sicuti vocamus Gerania, γερανός, grus" (from pelargos, stork, as we call the Gerania, geranos, crane).

 

Description

Pelargonium occurs in a large number of growth forms, including herbaceous annuals, shrubs, subshrubs, stem succulents and geophytes. The erect stems bear five-petaled flowers in umbel-like clusters, which are occasionally branched. Because not all flowers appear simultaneously, but open from the centre outwards, this is a form of inflorescence is referred to as pseudoumbels.

 

The flower has a single symmetry plane (zygomorphic), which distinguishes it from the Geranium flower, which has radial symmetry (actinomorphic). Thus the lower three (anterior) petals are differentiated from the upper two (posterior) petals. The posterior sepal is fused with the pedicel to form a hypanthium (nectary tube). The nectary tube varies from only a few millimeters, up to several centimeters, and is an important floral characteristic in morphological classification. Stamens vary from 2 to 7, and their number, position relative to staminodes, and curvature are used to identify individual species. There are five stigmata in the style. For the considerable diversity in flower morphology, see figure 1 of Röschenbleck et al. (2014).

 

Leaves are usually alternate, and palmately lobed or pinnate, often on long stalks, and sometimes with light or dark patterns. The leaves of Pelargonium peltatum (Ivy-leaved Geranium), have a thick cuticle better adapting them for drought tolerance.

 

Taxonomy

 

Dillenius' introduction of the term 'Pelargonium' in Hortus Elthamensis 1732

 

Pelargonium inquinans, (Geranium Afric. arborescens), Hortus Elthamensis

Pelargonium is the second largest genus (after Geranium) within the family Geraniaceae, within which it is sister to the remaining genera of the family in its strict sense, Erodium, Geranium, and Monsonia including Sarcocaulon. The Geraniaceae have a number of genetic features unique amongst angiosperms, including highly rearranged plastid genomes differing in gene content, order and expansion of the inverted repeat.

 

Genus history

The name Pelargonium was first proposed by Dillenius in 1732, who described and illustrated seven species of geraniums from South Africa that are now classified as Pelargonium. Dillenius, who referred to these seven species with apparent unique characteristics as Geranium Africanum (African Geranium) suggested "Possent ergo ii, quibus novi generis cupido est, ea, quorum flores inaequales vel et irrregulares sunt, Pelargonia vocare" (Those who wish a new genus can therefore call those, whose flowers are unequal or irregular, ‘Pelargonia’). The name was then formally introduced by Johannes Burman in 1738. However Carl Linnaeus who first formally described these plants in 1753 did not recognise Pelargonium and grouped together in the same genus (Geranium) the three similar genera Erodium, Geranium, and Pelargonium. Linnaeus' reputation prevented further differentiation for forty years. The eventual distinction between them was made by Charles L’Héritier based on the number of stamens or anthers, seven in the case of Pelargonium. In 1774, P. cordatum, P. crispum, P. quercifolium and P. radula were introduced, followed by P. capitatum in 1790.

 

Circumscription

Pelargonium is distinguished from the other genera in the family Geraniaceae by the presence of a hypanthium, which consists of an adnate nectar spur with one nectary, as well as a generally zygomorphic floral symmetry.

 

Subdivision

De Candolle first proposed dividing the genus into 12 sections in 1824, based on the diversity of growth forms. Traditionally the large number of Pelargonium species have been treated as sixteen sections, based on the classification of Knuth (1912) who described 15 sections, as modified by van der Walt et al. (1977-1997) who added Chorisma, Reniformia and Subsucculentia.

 

These are as follows;

 

section Campylia (Lindley ex Sweet) de Candolle

section Chorisma (Lindley ex Sweet) de Candolle

section Ciconium (Sweet) Harvey

section Cortusina (DC.) Harvey

section Glaucophyllum Harvey

section Hoarea (Sweet) de Candolle

section Isopetalum (Sweet) de Candolle

section Jenkinsonia (Sweet) de Candolle

section Ligularia (Sweet) Harvey

section Myrrhidium de Candolle

section Otidia (Lindley ex Sweet) de Candolle

section Pelargonium (Sweet) Harvey

section Peristera de Candolle

section Polyactium de Candolle

section Reniformia (Knuth) Dreyer

section Subsucculentia J.J.A. van der Walt

Phylogenetic analyses

All subdivision classifications had depended primarily on morphological differences till the era of phylogenetic analyses (Price and Palmer 1993). However phylogenetic analysis shows only three distinct clades, labelled A, B and C. In this analysis not all sections were monophyletic, although some were strongly supported including Chorisma, Myrrhidium and Jenkinsonia, while other sections were more paraphyletic. This in turn has led to a proposal, informal at this stage, of a reformulation of the infrageneric subdivision of Pelargonium.

 

In the proposed scheme of Weng et al. there would be two subgenera, based on clades A+B, and C respectively and seven sections based on subclades. Subsequent analysis with an expanded taxa set confirmed this infrageneric subdivision into two groups which also correspond to chromosome length (<1.5 μ, 1.5-3.0μ), but also two subclades within each major clade, suggesting the presence of four subgenera, these correspond to clades A, B, C1 and C2 of the earlier analysis, A being by far the largest clade with 141 taxa. As before the internal structure of the clades supported monophyly of some sections (Myrrhidium, Chorisma, Reniformia, Pelargonium, Ligularia and Hoarea) but paraphyly in others (Jenkinsonia, Ciconium, Peristera). A distinct clade could be identified within the paraphyletic Polyactium, designated section Magnistipulacea. As a result, Polyactium has been split up to provide this new section, which in itself contains two subsections, Magnistipulacea and Schizopetala, following Knuth's original treatment of Polyactium as having four subsections.

 

Subgenus Pelargonium section Otidia: P. crithmifolium

Thus Röschenbleck et al. (2014) provide a complete revision of the subgeneric classification of Pelargonium based on four subgenera corresponding to their major clades (A, B, C1, C2);

 

subgenus Magnipetala Roeschenbl. & F. Albers Type: Pelargonium praemorsum (Andrews) F Dietrich

subgenus Parvulipetala Roeschenbl. & F. Albers Type: Pelargonium hypoleucum Turczaninow

subgenus Paucisignata Roeschenbl. & F. Albers Type: Pelargonium zonale (L.) L'Hér. in Aiton

subgenus Pelargonium L'Hér. Type: Pelargonium cucullatum (L.) Aiton

Sixteen sections were then assigned to the new subgenera as follows, although many species remained only assigned to subgenera at this stage

 

subgenus Magnipetala 3 sections

section Chorisma (Lindley ex Sweet) de Candolle - 4 species

section Jenkinsonia (Sweet) de Candolle - 11 species

section Myrrhidium de Candolle - 8 species

subgenus Parvulipetala 3 sections

section Isopetalum (Sweet) de Candolle - 1 species (Pelargonium cotyledonis (L.) L'Hér.)

section Peristera de Candolle - 30 species

section Reniformia (Knuth) Dreyer - 8 species

subgenus Paucisignata 2 sections

section Ciconium (Sweet) Harvey - 16 species

section Subsucculentia J.J.A. van der Walt - 3 species

subgenus Pelargonium 8 sections

section Campylia (Lindley ex Sweet) de Candolle - 9 species

section Cortusina (DC.) Harvey - 7 species

section Hoarea (Sweet) de Candolle - 72 species

section Ligularia (Sweet) Harvey - 10 species

section Magnistipulacea Roeschenbl. & F. Albers Type: Pelargonium schlecteri Knuth - 2 subsections

subsection Magnistipulacea Roeschenbl. & F. Albers Type: Pelargonium schlecteri Knuth - 2 species (P. schlecteri & P. luridum)

subsection Schizopetala (Knuth) Roeschenbl. & F. Albers Type: Pelargonium caffrum (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Steudel - 3 species (P. caffrum, P. bowkeri, P. schizopetalum)

section Otidia (Lindley ex Sweet) de Candolle - 14 species

section Pelargonium L'Hér. - 34 species

section Polyactium de Candolle - 2 subsections

subsection Caulescentia Knuth - 1 species (Pelargonium gibbosum)

subsection Polyactium de Candolle - 7 species

Subgenera

Subgenus Magnipetala: Corresponds to clade C1, with 24 species. Perennial to short lived, spreading subshrubs, rarely herbaceous annuals. Petals five, but may be four, colour mainly white. Mainly winter rainfall region of South Africa, spreading into summer rainfall region. One species in northern Namibia and Botswana. Two species in East Africa and Ethiopia. Chromosomes x=11 and 9.

 

Subgenus Parvulipetala: Corresponds to clade B, with 39-42 species. Perennials, partly annuals. Petals five and equal, colour white or pink to deep purplish red. Mainly South Africa, but also other southern hemisphere except South America. a few species in East Africa and Ethiopia. Chromosomes x=7-19.

 

Subgenus Paucisignata: Corresponds to clade C2, with 25-27 species. Erect sometimes trailing shrubs or subshrubs, rarely geophytes or semi-geophytes. Petals five and equal, colour pink to red sometimes white. Summer rainfall region of South Africa, spreading into winter rainfall region and northern Namibia, with a few species in tropical Africa, Ethiopia, Somalia, Madagascar, the Arabian Peninsula and Asia Minor. Chromosomes x=mainly 9 or 10, but from 4-18.

 

Subgenus Pelargonium: Corresponds to clade A, with 167 species. Frequently xerophytic deciduous perennials with many geophytes and succulent subshrubs, less frequently woody evergreen shrubs or annual herbs. Petals five, colour shades of pink to purple or yellow. Winter rainfall region of South Africa and adjacent Namibia, spreading to summer rainfall area, and two species in tropical Africa. Chromosomes x=11, may be 8-10.

 

Species

Main article: List of Pelargonium species

Pelargonium has around 280 species. Röschenbleck et al lists 281 taxa. There is considerable confusion as to which Pelargonium are true species, and which are cultivars or hybrids. The nomenclature has changed considerably since the first plants were introduced to Europe in the 17th century.

 

Distribution

Pelargonium is a large genus within the family Geraniaceae, which has a worldwide distribution in temperate to subtropical zones with some 800 mostly herbaceous species. Pelargonium itself is native to southern Africa (including Namibia) and Australia. Southern Africa contains 90% of the genus, with only about 30 species found elsewhere, predominantly the East African rift valley (about 20 species) and southern Australia, including Tasmania. The remaining few species are found in southern Madagascar, Yemen, Iraq, Asia Minor, the north of New Zealand and isolated islands in the south Atlantic Ocean (Saint Helena and Tristan da Cunha) and Socotra in the Indian Ocean. The centre of diversity is in southwestern South Africa where rainfall is confined to the winter, unlike the rest of the country where rainfall is predominantly in the summer months. Most of the Pelargonium plants cultivated in Europe and North America have their origins in South Africa.

 

Ecology

Pelargonium species are eaten by the caterpillars of some Lepidoptera species, including the noctuid moth angle shades, Phlogophora meticulosa. The diurnal butterflies Cacyreus marshalli and C. tespis (Lycaenidae), native to southern Africa, also feed on Geranium and Pelargonium. C. marshallii has been introduced to Europe and can develop into a pest on cultivated Pelargoniums. It has naturalised along the Mediterranean, but does not survive the winter in Westen Europe.

 

The Japanese beetle, an important agricultural insect pest, becomes rapidly paralyzed after consuming flower petals of the garden hybrids known as "zonal geraniums" (P. × hortorum). The phenomenon was first described in 1920, and subsequently confirmed. Research conducted by Dr. Christopher Ranger with the USDA Agricultural Research Service and other collaborating scientists have demonstrated the excitatory amino acid called quisqualic acid present within the flower petals is responsible for causing paralysis of the Japanese beetle. Quisqualic acid is thought to mimic L-glutamic acid, which is a neurotransmitter in the insect neuromuscular junction and mammalian central nervous system.

 

A study by the Laboratory of Apiculture & Social Insects group at the University of Sussex on the attractiveness of common garden plants to pollinators found that a cultivar of Pelargonium × hortorum was unattractive to pollinators in comparison to other selected garden plants such as Lavandula (lavender) and Origanum.

 

Pests and diseases

Main articles: List of geranium diseases, Pelargonium flower break virus, and Pelargonium line pattern virus

The geranium bronze butterfly is a pest of Pelargonium species. The larvae of the geranium bronze bore into the stem of the host plant, causing the stem to typically turn black and die soon after. Geranium bronze are currently listed as an A2 quarantine pest by the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization and can cause significant damage to Pelargonium species.

 

Cultivation

 

Pelargonium triste, the first species of its genus to be cultivated, here shown in its native habitat in Cape Town

Various types of Pelargonium are regular participants in flower shows and competitive events, with numerous societies devoted exclusively to their cultivation. They are easy to propagate vegetatively from cuttings. It is recommended that cuttings should have at least two nodes. Zonal geraniums grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 9 through 12. Zonal geraniums are basically tropical perennials. Although they are often grown as annuals, they may overwinter in zones as cool as zone 7.

 

Cultivation history

The first species of Pelargonium known to be cultivated was P. triste, a native of South Africa. It was probably brought to the Botanical Garden in Leiden before 1600 on ships which had stopped at the Cape of Good Hope. In 1631, the English gardener John Tradescant the elder bought seeds from Rene Morin in Paris and introduced the plant to England. By 1724, P. inquinans, P. odoratissimum, P. peltatum, P. vitifolium, and P. zonale had been introduced to Europe.

 

Cultivars

 

Zonal pelargonium

There was little attempt at any rational grouping of Pelargonium cultivars, the growing of which was revived in the mid-twentieth century, and the origins of many if not most were lost in obscurity. In 1916 the American botanist Liberty Hyde Bailey (1858–1954) introduced two new terms for zonal and regal pelargoniums. Those pelargoniums which were largely derived from P. zonale he referred to as P. × hortorum (i.e. from the garden), while those from P. cucullatum he named P. × domesticum (i.e. from the home) In the late 1950s a list (the Spalding List) was produced in the United States, based on nursery listings and the 1897 list of Henri Dauthenay. It described seven groups, listing each cultivar with the list of its originator, and in most cases a date. These were Species, Zonals, Variegated-Leaved, Domesticum (Regals), Ivy-Leaved, Scented-Leaved and Old. In the 1970s the British Pelargonium and Geranium Society produced a checklist and the Australian Geranium Society started to produce a register but it was not completed till its author, Jean Llewellyn's death in 1999. None of these were published. The most complete list in its time was the 2001 compilation by The Geraniaceae Group, which included all cultivars up to 1959.

 

Registration of cultivars is the responsibility of the Pelargonium & Geranium Society (PAGS: formed in 2009 from the British Pelargonium and Geranium Society and the British and European Geranium Society) which administers the International Register of Pelargonium Cultivars. PAGS is the International Cultivar Registration Authority (ICRA) of the International Society for Horticultural Science for pelargoniums.

  

Contrasting leaves: Ivy-leaved Group (Left) Zonal Group (Right)

Cultivated pelargoniums are commonly divided into six groups in addition to species pelargoniums and primary hybrids. The following list is ordered by position in the PAGS classification. Abbreviations indicate Royal Horticultural Society usage.

 

A. Zonal (Z)

B. Ivy-leaved (I)

C. Regal (R)

D. Angel (A)

E. Unique (U)

F. Scented-leaved (Sc)

G. Species

H. Primary hybrids

Of these, A, U and Sc groups are sometimes lumped together as Species Derived (Sppd). This term implies that they are closely related to a species from which they were derived, and do not fit into the R, I or Z groups.

 

In addition to the primary groups, additional descriptors are used. The Royal Horticultural Society has created description codes. These include;

 

Cactus (Ca)

Coloured foliage (C)

Decorative (Dec)

Double (d)

Dwarf (Dw)

Dwarf Ivy-leaved (Dwl)

Frutetorum (Fr)

Miniature (Min)

Miniature Ivy-leaved (MinI)

Stellar (St)

Tulip (T)

Variegated (v)

These may then be combined to form the code, e.g. Pelargonium 'Chelsea Gem' (Z/d/v), indicating Zonal Double with variegated foliage. Crosses between groups are indicated with an ×, e.g. Pelargonium 'Hindoo' (R × U), indicating a Regal × Unique cross.

 

A. Zonal pelargoniums (Pelargonium × hortorum Bailey)

 

Pelargonium × hortorum (Zonal)

These are known as zonal geraniums because many have zones or patterns in the center of the leaves,[36] this is the contribution of the Pelargonium zonale parent. Common names include storksbill, fish or horseshoe geraniums.[50] They are also referred to as Pelargonium × hortorum Bailey. Zonal pelargoniums are tetraploid, mostly derived from P. inquinans and P. zonale, together with P. scandens and P. frutetorum.

 

Zonal pelargoniums are mostly bush-type plants with succulent stems grown for the beauty of their flowers, traditionally red, salmon, violet, white or pink. The scarlet colouring is attributed to the contribution of P. inquinans. Flowers may be double or single. They are the pelargoniums most often confused with genus Geranium, particularly in summer bedding arrangements. This incorrect nomenclature is widely used in horticulture, particularly in North America.

 

Zonals include a variety of plant types along with genetic hybrids such as hybrid ivy-leaved varieties that display little or no ivy leaf characteristics (the Deacons varieties), or the Stellar varieties. Hybrid zonals are crosses between zonals and either a species or species-derived pelargonium. There are hundreds of zonal cultivars available for sale, and like other cultivars are sold in series such as 'Rocky Mountain', each of which is named after its predominant colour, e.g. 'Rocky Mountain Orange', 'White', 'Dark Red', etc.

  

'Rocky Mountain Orange' (Zonal)

(i) Basic plants – Mature plants with foliage normally exceeding 180 mm (7 in) in height above the rim of the pot. For exhibition these should be grown in a pot exceeding 120 mm (4+3⁄4 in) in diameter but not normally exceeding 165 mm (6+1⁄2 in).

(ii) Dwarf plants – Smaller than basic. Mature plants with foliage more than 125 mm (5 in) above the rim of the pot, but not normally more than 180 mm (7 in). For exhibition should be grown in a pot exceeding 90 mm (3+1⁄2 in) but not exceeding 120 mm (4+3⁄4 in). They should not exceed 200 mm in height, grown in an 11 cm pot.

(iii) Miniature plants – Slowly growing pelargoniums. Mature plants with foliage normally less than 125 mm (5 in) above the rim of the pot. For exhibition should be grown in a pot not exceeding 90 mm (3+1⁄2 in). They should not exceed 125 mm in height, grown in a 9 cm pot.

(iv) Micro-miniature plants – Smaller and more slowly growing than miniature pelargoniums. Mature plants with foliage normally less than 100 mm (4 in) above the rim of the pot. They should not exceed 75 mm in height, grown in a 6 cm pot. Usually no separate classes for these in exhibition and will therefore normally be shown as Miniature Zonals.

(v) Deacon varieties –Genetic hybrid similar to a large Dwarf. For exhibition (when shown in a separate class), usually grown in a pot not exceeding 125 mm (5 in), otherwise as for Dwarf Zonals.

(vi) Stellar varieties – A relatively modern genetic hybrid originating from the work done by the Australian hybridiser Ted Both in the late 1950s and 1960s from crosses between Australian species and Zonal types. Easily identifiable by their distinctive half-star-shaped leaves and slim-petalled blooms which create an impression of being star shaped (or five fingered). Single varieties tend to have larger elongated triangular petals whereas doubles tend to have thin feathered petals that are tightly packed together. For exhibition purposes there is a separate class for 'Stellar' varieties, but being Zonals could be shown in an open class for Basic, Dwarf or Miniature Zonals (unless otherwise stated). Also known as "The Five-fingered Geraniums", "Staphysagroides", "Both’s Staphs", "Both’s Hybrid Staphs", "Fingered Flowers" and "Bodey’s Formosum Hybrids".

Fancy-leaf zonal pelargoniums – besides having green leaves with or without zoning, this group also have variable coloured foliage[50] that is sometimes used in classifying for exhibition purposes, e.g. ‘Bicolour’, ‘Tricolour’, ‘Bronze’ or ‘Gold’. Other foliage types are: ‘Black’ or ‘Butterfly’. There are an increasing number of these plants with showy blooms;

 

(a) Bicolour – includes those with white or cream veined leaves or those with two distinct colours with clearly defined edges, other than the basic zone.

(b) Tricolour – (May be Silver Tricolour (usually called a Silver Leaf) or a Gold Tricolour).

(i) Gold Tricolour – Leaves of many colours including red and gold, but usually with clearly defined edges of golden yellow and having a leaf zone, usually red or bronze, that overlays two or more of the other distinct leaf colours, so that the zone itself appears as two or more distinct colours.

(ii) Silver Tricolour or Silver Leaf – These tend to resemble a normal bi-colour leaf plant with two distinct colours usually of green and pale cream or white; the third colour is usually made up of bronze zoning. When this zoning overlays the green part of the leaf it is deemed to represent a silver colour.

(c) Bronze Leaved – Leaves of Green or Golden/Green with a heavy bronze or chestnut coloured centre zone which is known as a medallion. For exhibition purposes, when exhibited in specific ‘Bronze’ Leaf class – Must have over 50% of leaf surface bronze coloured. The dwarf plant ‘Overchurch’ which has a heavy bronze medallion.

(d) Gold Leaved – Leaves coloured golden/yellow or green/yellow but not showing a tendency to green. For exhibition purposes, when exhibited in specific ‘Gold’ Leaf class – Must have over 50% of leaf surface gold coloured.

(e) Black Leaved – Leaves coloured black, purple-black or with distinct large dark zones or centre markings on green.

(f) Butterfly Leaved – Leaves with a butterfly marking of distinct tone or hue in centre of leaf. This can be encompassed in many of the coloured leaf varieties.

Zonal pelargoniums have many flower types, as follows:

 

(a) Single flowered (S) – each flower pip normally having no more than five petals. This is the standard flower set for all Pelargoniums.

(b) Semi-double flowered (SD) – each flower pip normally having between six and nine petals.

(c) Double flowered (D)– each flower pip composed of more than nine petals (i.e. double the standard flower set) but not ‘hearted’ like the bud of a rose, e.g. the dwarf ‘Dovepoint’ which has full double blooms.

(d) Rosebud (or noisette) flowered – each bloom fully double and ‘hearted’. The middle petals are so numerous that they remain unopened like the bud of a rose.

(e) Tulip flowered – having semi-double blooms that never fully open. The large cup shaped petals open just sufficiently to resemble a miniature tulip.

(f) Bird's-egg group – having blooms with petals that have spots in a darker shade than the base colour, like many birds eggs.

(g) Speckled flowered group – having petals that are marked with splashes and flecks of another colour, e.g. ‘Vectis Embers’.

(h) Quilled (or cactus-flowered group, or poinsettia in USA) – having petals twisted and furled like a quill.

“Zonquil” pelargoniums result from a cross between Zonal pelargonium cultivars and P. quinquelobatum.

 

B. Ivy-leaved pelargoniums (derived from Pelargonium peltatum)

 

Pelargonium peltatum (Ivy-leaved)

Also known as "ivy geraniums". Usually of lax growth (trailing), mainly due to the long thin stems, with thick, waxy ivy-shaped stiff fleshy evergreen leaves developed by the species P. peltatum to retain moisture during periods of drought. Much used for hanging pots, tubs and basket cultivation. In the UK the bulbous double-headed types are preferred whilst on the European continent the balcon single types for large-scale hanging floral displays are favoured. Ivy-leaved pelargoniums embrace all such growth size types including small-leaved varieties and genetic hybrid crosses, which display little or no zonal characteristics. May have bicolour leaves and may have flowers that are single, double or rosette. Ivy pelargoniums are often sold as series such as 'Great Balls of Fire', in a variety of colours such as 'Great Balls of Fire Burgundy'.

 

Additional descriptive terms include;

 

Hybrid Ivy — the result of ivy × zonal crosses, but still more closely resemble ivy-leaved pelargoniums.

Fancy leaf — leaves with marked color variation, together with or other than green.

Miniature — miniature leaves and flowers, stems with short nodes, and compact growth. e.g. 'Sugar Baby' listed as Dwarf Ivy (DwI) by RHS.

C. Regal pelargoniums (Pelargonium × domesticum Bailey)

 

'Karl Offenstein' (Regal)

These are large bush-type floriferous evergreen pelargoniums. In addition to "Regals" they are also known as “Show Pelargoniums”. In the United States they are often known as the "Martha Washington" or ‘"Lady Washington" pelargoniums. They are grown primarily for the beauty and richness of their flower heads, which are large. Most of those cultivars grown currently are the result of hybridization over the last 50 years. They are very short-jointed and compact, which results in their requiring very little work in order to create a floriforous and well-rounded plant. Flowers are single, rarely double, in mauve, pink, purple or white. They have rounded, sometimes lobed or partially toothed (serrated) leaves, unlike the Zonal groups, without any type of zoning.

 

Additional descriptive terms include;

Decorative pelargoniums (Decoratives) – Descendants of older, less compact, smaller-flowered varieties that are more suited to outdoor conditions. These have smaller flowers than Regal, but are otherwise similar. e.g. ‘Royal Ascot’

Miniature – Flowers and leaves similar to Regal, but miniature in form, with compact growth. Other terms include “Pansy Geraniums” or “Pansy Pelargoniums”. e.g. ‘Lara Susan’

Oriental pelargoniums – The result of crosses between Regals and members of the Angel group (see below). Some have bicolour foliage.

D. Angel pelargoniums (derived from Pelargonium crispum)

 

'Angeleyes Randy' (Angel)

Angel pelargoniums are similar to Regal pelargoniums but more closely resemble P. crispum in leaf shape and growth habit. The majority of Angel cultivars originate from a cross between P. crispum and a Regal variety in the early part of the 20th century. Angels have grown in popularity in the last 30 years or so due mainly to an explosion of new varieties being released by specialist nurseries resulting from the work done by dedicated amateur hybridisers. These hybrisers have managed to obtain many new flower colour breaks and tighter growth habits resulting in plants suitable for all sorts of situations. Angels basically have the appearance of a small Regal with small serrated leaves and much smaller flowers and are more compact and bushy. The group extends to include similar small-leaved and -flowered types but usually with P. crispum in their parentage. They are mostly upright bush-type plants but there are some lax varieties that can be used for basket or hanging pot cultivation. Often called "pansy-faced" in the US. Some varieties have bicolour foliage. Other terms include ‘Langley-Smith Hybrids’.

 

E. Unique pelargoniums (derived from Pelargonium fulgidum)

 

Unique in sense of not fitting into any of the above categories. The parentage of Unique pelargoniums is confused and obscure. One theory being a derivation from P. fulgidum, but a derivation from an older cultivar 'Old Unique’, also known as or ‘Rollinson’s Crimson’, in the mid-19th century is also claimed. Unique pelargoniums resemble upright Scented Leaf pelargoniums in being shrubby and woody evergreens. They have distinctly scented leaves, and small flowers with blotched and feathered petals. They may have bicolour foliage. Some types, popularly known in the hobby as hybrid Uniques, have been crossed with Regal pelargoniums and, as a result of this cross, are much more floriferous.

 

Cultivar

Pelargonium graveolens (Scented leaf)

Shrubby evergreen perennials grown chiefly for their fragrance, may be species or cultivars but all must have a clear and distinct scented foliage. Scent is emitted when the leaves are touched or bruised with some scents aromatic, others pungent and in a few cases, quite unpleasant. Several of the scented leaved pelargoniums are grown for the oil geraniol, which is extracted from the leaves and is an essential oil much used commercially in perfumery. The scent of some species growing in their natural habitat, acts as a deterrent to grazing animals who appear to dislike the emitted scent. Conversely, it also attracts other insect life to visit the bloom and pollinate the plant. The scented leaves can be used for potpourri and they also have a use as flavourings in cooking. Occasionally scented types can be found in some of the other groups mentioned; for example, the Angels, having P. crispum in their genetic makeup, can often have a strong citrus scent. Leaves are lobed, toothed, incised or variegated. Growth habit is very variable, but the flowers are less prominent than other groups, and most closely resemble the species they originated from.

 

These include:

Pelargonium ionidiflorum (Scented leaf)

Almond - Pelargonium quercifolium

Apple - Pelargonium odoratissimum

Apple - Pelargonium cordifolium

Apple/Mint - Pelargonium album

Apricot/Lemon - Pelargonium scabrum

Balsam - Pelargonium panduriforme

Camphor - Pelargonium betulinum

Celery - Pelargonium ionidiflorum

Cinnamon - Pelargonium 'Ardwyck Cinnamon'

Coconut - Pelargonium grossalarioides (Pelargonium parriflorum)

Eau de Cologne - Pelargonium 'Brilliantine'

Eucalyptus - Pelargonium 'Secret Love'

Grapefruit - Pelargonium 'Poquita'

Ginger - Pelargonium 'Torrento' or 'Cola Bottles' which is a variety of Pelargonium x nervosum

Hazelnut - Pelargonium 'Odorata Hazelnut

Lavender - Pelargonium 'Lavender Lindy'

Lemon - Pelargonium crispum

Lemon - Pelargonium citronellum (Synonym - Pelargonium 'Mabel Grey')

Lemon Balm - Pelargonium x melissinum

Lime - Pelargonium x nervosum

Myrrh - Pelargonium myrrhifolium

Nutmeg - Pelargonium x fragrans

Old Spice - Variety of Pelargonium x fragrans

Orange - Pelargonium x citriodorum (Synonym - Pelargonium 'Prince of Orange')

Peach - Pelargonium 'Peaches and Cream'

Peppermint - Pelargonium tomentosum

Pine - Pelargonium denticulatum

Pineapple - Pelargonium 'Brilliant'

Raspberry - Pelargonium 'Red Raspberry'

Rose - Pelargonium graveolens (Synonym - Pelargonium roseum)

Rose - Pelargonium capitatum

Rose - Pelargonium radens

Southernwood - Pelargonium abrotanifolium

Spicy - Pelargonium exstipulatum

Strawberry - Pelargonium x scarboroviae

Cultivars

'Attar of Roses' - a cultivar of P. capitatum

'Crowfoot Rose' - a cultivar of P. radens

'Dr. Livingston' - a cultivar of P. radens

'Grey Lady Plymouth' - a cultivar of P. graveolens

'Prince Rupert' - a cultivar of P. crispum

G. Species pelargoniums

The species are the forefathers of all the cultivar groups listed above. In general, the definition of a species is that it breeds true, and is to be found doing this in the "wild". Species pelargoniums have a large diversity of characteristics in habit, shape, size and colour, which probably accounts for them having retained their popularity for more than 300 years.

 

H. Primary hybrids

A primary hybrid is recognised as being the resultant plant from a first-time cross between two different known species. Examples are P. × ardens – from P. lobatum × P. fulgidum (1810). P. × glauciifolium – from P. gibbosum × P. lobatum (1822). Usually, but not always, primary hybrids are sterile.

 

The following is a selection of pelargoniums which have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:

 

'Attar of Roses' (rose scented leaves, pink flowers)

'Citriodorum' (lemon scented leaves, rose pink flowers

'Dolly Varden' (variegated leaves, scarlet flowers)

'Frank Headley' (cream vareigated leaves, salmon pink flowers)

'Fringed Aztec' (white & purple fringed flowers)

'Gemstone' (scented leaves, pink flowers)

'Grace Thomas' (lemon scented leaves, pale pink flowers)

'Joy' (pink & white frilled flowers)

'Lady Plymouth' (P. graveolens variegata - small mauve flowers)

'Lara Candy Dancer' (scented leaves, pale mauve flowers)

'Lara Starshine' (aromatic leaves, lilac flowers.

'L'Élégante' (ivy-leaved, trailing, white and purple flowers)

'Mabel Grey' (lemon-scented leaves, mauve flowers)

'Mrs Quilter' (bronze leaves, salmon pink flowers)

'Radula' (lemon & rose scented leaves, pink & purple flowers)

'Royal Oak' (balsam scented leaves, mauve flowers)

'Spanish Angel' (lilac & magenta flowers)

'Sweet Mimosa' (balsam-scented leaves, pale pink flowers)

'Tip Top Duet' (pink & wine-red flowers)

'Voodoo' (crimson & black flowers)

P. tomentosum (peppermint-scented leaves, small white flowers)

Usage

Ornamental plants

Pelargoniums rank as one of the highest number of potted flowering plants sold and also in terms of wholesale value.

 

Scented leaf pelargoniums

Other than being grown for their beauty, species such as P. graveolens are important in the perfume industry and are cultivated and distilled for their scents. Although scented pelargoniums exist which have smells of citrus, mint, pine, spices or various fruits, the varieties with rose scents are most commercially important. Pelargonium distillates and absolutes, commonly known as "scented geranium oil" are sometimes used to supplement or adulterate expensive rose oils. The oils of the scented pelargoniums contain citronellol, geraniol, eugenol, alpha-pinene and many other compounds. The edible leaves and flowers are also used as a flavouring in desserts, cakes, jellies and teas. Scented-leafed pelargoniums can be used to flavor jellies, cakes, butters, ice cream, iced tea and other dishes, The rose-, lemon- and peppermint-scents are most commonly used. Also used are those with hints of peach, cinnamon and orange. Commonly used lemon-scented culinary species include P. crispum and P. citronellum. Rose-scenteds include P. graveolens and members of the P. graveolens cultivar group. Other species and cultivars with culinary use include the lime-scented P. ‘Lime’, the lemon balm-scented P. ‘Lemon Balm’, the strawberry-lemon-scented P. ‘Lady Scarborough’ and the peppermint-scented P. tomentosum.[81] Scented leaf pelargoniums have also been historically used as toilet paper by fishermen in remote places, such as the Minquiers.

 

Herbal medicine

In herbal medicine, Pelargonium has been used for intestinal problems, wounds and respiratory ailments, but Pelargonium species have also been used for fevers, kidney complaints and other conditions. Geranium (Pelargonium) oil is considered a relaxant in aromatherapy, and in recent years, respiratory/cold remedies made from P. sidoides and P. reniforme have been sold in Europe and the United States. P. sidoides along with Echinacea is used for bronchitis. P. odoratissimum is used for its astringent, tonic and antiseptic effects. It is used internally for debility, gastroenteritis, and hemorrhage and externally for skin complaints, injuries, and neuralgia and throat infections. The essential oil is used in aromatherapy.

 

Pets

According to the ASPCA, these plants are toxic to cats, dogs, and horses.

 

Chemistry

Pelargonin (pelargonidin 3,5-O-diglucoside) is a petal pigment of the scarlet pelargonium.

 

Culture

The chemist, John Dalton, realized that he was color blind in 1794 when he heard others describe the color of the flowers of the pink Pelargonium zonale as pink or red, when to him it looked either pink or blue, having no relationship to red at all.

created these young ladies last night....tried to get an overlay effect...like you do....three different faces used mixed with a design....made the lips later

 

yep I think we all have a public face....can't do much about that apart from the classic brown paper bag & although it suits some folks it's not for everyone

 

sometimes we like to "let our hair down" so to speak & open up a little more than usual...these girls have opened up a bit....perhaps just enough to be kissed by those fabulous lips I designed...good job I don't do that sort of thing for a living or the Botox bods might be out of a job & I'd probably be in prison

 

Botox treatment is the use of Butulinum toxin which is a neurotoxin bacterium & can spread through the body causing Botulism & can be fatal

 

I think an artificial substitute is also used now....

 

It should be said that it's also used to help a number of neuromuscular ailments including involuntary spasms in many parts of the body....also used on some cancers.....

 

thanks for looking in.....better bigger....hope you have a great week

Puddling

Is male puddling behavior of tropical butterflies targeted at sodium for nuptial gifts or activity?

 

ABSTRACT

An apparent sexual difference in adult feeding behaviour in many species of Lepidoptera relates to puddling on mud, dung and carrion. In most butterfly species, puddling is exclusively a male behaviour. A possible explanation for this division in feeding behaviour is that nutrients derived from puddling are transferred to the female in the spermatophore during mating as a nuptial gift. Sodium derived from puddling has been shown to act as a nuptial gift in a few Lepidoptera species. It can also be used for neuromuscular activity in both males and females and may therefore correlate with flight morphology. In this study, we examine the generality of these two hypotheses in comparative work on a community of African fruit-feeding butterflies. We investigated puddling behaviour of males and females on carrion and dung together with sodium preferences, polyandry, relative wing-size, sexual size dimorphism and sodium concentrations in the bodies and spermatophores of several species. The results show that sodium as a nuptial gift can explain the sexual division in puddling in some species, but not in all. Species in which both sexes puddle transfer little sodium in the nuptial gift, which is consistent with the nuptial gift theory. Wing loading and puddling are not significantly correlated, but the trend followed the direction predicted by the activity hypothesis. However, the sodium concentration in the species with the smallest wing area to thoracic volume (WA/TV) ratio (the largest Charaxes spp.), was relatively low. Moreover, in all investigated species, the sodium concentration was higher in the abdomen than in the thorax. The results are discussed in the light of differences between the sexes in foraging behaviour in both larvae and adults, and with respect to alternative explanations for puddling. © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2005, 86, 345–361

 

Is male puddling behavior of tropical butterflies targeted at sodium for nuptial gifts or activity? (PDF Download Available). Available from: www.researchgate.net/publication/227807570_Is_male_puddli... [accessed Jan 15, 2016].

It's like a kata, same thing over and over. Neuromuscular memory fused with modern digital image recording technology.

 

The time has come to make the post I’ve been dreading. I’ve mentioned Gracie’s loss of mobility in my weekly posts but I haven’t been able to bring myself to share the reason she is declining. It appears she has degenerative myelopathy, a canine neuromuscular disease similar to ALS. Some of you noticed last fall that her tail was drooping. That was one of the earliest symptoms, along with muscle wasting we originally attributed to her poor appetite due to her inflammatory bowel disease. Then we noticed she was sometimes stumbling on one and then eventually both of her back feet, coming down on her toes or even the top of her foot instead of her pads. She also began having involuntary muscle twitches. After our vet ruled out a disc problem or tumor, we were left with degenerative myelopathy as a diagnosis of elimination. Like ALS, DM is progressive and untreatable.

 

I just haven’t been able to bring myself to share this until now. Continuing to take pictures of Gracie enjoying herself has allowed me to live in a bit of denial about her decline even as she has slowly been developing all the symptoms of disease progression. Her back legs have become weak and uncoordinated. She is finding it increasingly difficult to get up and is now beginning to stumble with her front feet, leading to a lot of falls. She is beginning to have trouble positioning herself exactly how she wants to sleep. We are forced to confront the fact that her quality of life is now being affected by the disease, and so we find ourselves at the very worst stage of sharing life with dogs. I’m not sure how long we have left with Gracie, but we are clear we won’t let it get so bad she is merely existing rather than enjoying life just to keep her with us a bit longer. I’ve been through this enough times to know there’s no such thing as being ready to say goodbye but that a point will come when we must.

 

I know some of you are as fond of Gracie as I am of so many of your dogs I’ve come to know through Flickr over the years and that’s part of why I haven’t been able to bring myself to share this sad news. I hope you all understand, but I don’t want to chronicle this painful part of the long life we’ve been blessed to enjoy with Gracie. I am going to step away from posting weekly shots of her on Flickr. I want to focus on simply being present with her in the moment as much as I can, memorizing details like the feel of her silky her ears and the sparkle of her beautiful eyes. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

Puddling

Is male puddling behavior of tropical butterflies targeted at sodium for nuptial gifts or activity?

 

ABSTRACT

An apparent sexual difference in adult feeding behaviour in many species of Lepidoptera relates to puddling on mud, dung and carrion. In most butterfly species, puddling is exclusively a male behaviour. A possible explanation for this division in feeding behaviour is that nutrients derived from puddling are transferred to the female in the spermatophore during mating as a nuptial gift. Sodium derived from puddling has been shown to act as a nuptial gift in a few Lepidoptera species. It can also be used for neuromuscular activity in both males and females and may therefore correlate with flight morphology. In this study, we examine the generality of these two hypotheses in comparative work on a community of African fruit-feeding butterflies. We investigated puddling behaviour of males and females on carrion and dung together with sodium preferences, polyandry, relative wing-size, sexual size dimorphism and sodium concentrations in the bodies and spermatophores of several species. The results show that sodium as a nuptial gift can explain the sexual division in puddling in some species, but not in all. Species in which both sexes puddle transfer little sodium in the nuptial gift, which is consistent with the nuptial gift theory. Wing loading and puddling are not significantly correlated, but the trend followed the direction predicted by the activity hypothesis. However, the sodium concentration in the species with the smallest wing area to thoracic volume (WA/TV) ratio (the largest Charaxes spp.), was relatively low. Moreover, in all investigated species, the sodium concentration was higher in the abdomen than in the thorax. The results are discussed in the light of differences between the sexes in foraging behaviour in both larvae and adults, and with respect to alternative explanations for puddling. © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2005, 86, 345–361

 

Is male puddling behavior of tropical butterflies targeted at sodium for nuptial gifts or activity? (PDF Download Available). Available from: www.researchgate.net/publication/227807570_Is_male_puddli... [accessed Jan 15, 2016].

 

I've always viewed competant muscle testing as asking a question of motor and sensory nerves. The question is: can you hold this position/angle of movement?

Answers include:

yes with gusto,

sorta but only with pain,

sorta for a only short time,

absolutely no,

not really because I braced elsewhere first,

and "that question is incomprehensible so I changed the question and did another movement entirely. "

Parsing out those answers and making the brain aware of the body's responses can instantly change ROM, pain, and coordination.

 

[Barbara Sharp LMT]

Pelargonium is a genus of flowering plants that includes about 280 species of perennials, succulents, and shrubs, commonly called geraniums, pelargoniums, or storksbills. Geranium is also the botanical name and common name of a separate genus of related plants, also known as cranesbills. Both genera belong to the family Geraniaceae. Carl Linnaeus originally included all the species in one genus, Geranium, and they were later separated into two genera by Charles Louis L'Héritier de Brutelle in 1789.

 

While Geranium species are mostly temperate herbaceous plants, dying down in winter, Pelargonium species are evergreen perennials indigenous to warm temperate and tropical regions of the world, with many species in southern Africa. They are drought and heat tolerant but can tolerate only minor frosts. Some species are extremely popular garden plants, grown as houseplants and bedding plants in temperate regions. They have a long flowering period, with flowers mostly in red, orange, or white, but intensive breeding has produced a huge array of cultivars with great variety in size, flower colour, leaf form and aromatic foliage.

 

Etymology

 

One of hundreds of garden and houseplant cultivars

The name Pelargonium is derived from the Greek πελαργός, pelargós (stork), because the seed head looks like a stork's beak. Dillenius originally suggested the name 'stork', because Geranium was named after a crane — "a πελαργός, ciconia, sicuti vocamus Gerania, γερανός, grus" (from pelargos, stork, as we call the Gerania, geranos, crane).

 

Description

Pelargonium occurs in a large number of growth forms, including herbaceous annuals, shrubs, subshrubs, stem succulents and geophytes. The erect stems bear five-petaled flowers in umbel-like clusters, which are occasionally branched. Because not all flowers appear simultaneously, but open from the centre outwards, this is a form of inflorescence is referred to as pseudoumbels.

 

The flower has a single symmetry plane (zygomorphic), which distinguishes it from the Geranium flower, which has radial symmetry (actinomorphic). Thus the lower three (anterior) petals are differentiated from the upper two (posterior) petals. The posterior sepal is fused with the pedicel to form a hypanthium (nectary tube). The nectary tube varies from only a few millimeters, up to several centimeters, and is an important floral characteristic in morphological classification. Stamens vary from 2 to 7, and their number, position relative to staminodes, and curvature are used to identify individual species. There are five stigmata in the style. For the considerable diversity in flower morphology, see figure 1 of Röschenbleck et al. (2014).

 

Leaves are usually alternate, and palmately lobed or pinnate, often on long stalks, and sometimes with light or dark patterns. The leaves of Pelargonium peltatum (Ivy-leaved Geranium), have a thick cuticle better adapting them for drought tolerance.

 

Taxonomy

 

Dillenius' introduction of the term 'Pelargonium' in Hortus Elthamensis 1732

 

Pelargonium inquinans, (Geranium Afric. arborescens), Hortus Elthamensis

Pelargonium is the second largest genus (after Geranium) within the family Geraniaceae, within which it is sister to the remaining genera of the family in its strict sense, Erodium, Geranium, and Monsonia including Sarcocaulon. The Geraniaceae have a number of genetic features unique amongst angiosperms, including highly rearranged plastid genomes differing in gene content, order and expansion of the inverted repeat.

 

Genus history

The name Pelargonium was first proposed by Dillenius in 1732, who described and illustrated seven species of geraniums from South Africa that are now classified as Pelargonium. Dillenius, who referred to these seven species with apparent unique characteristics as Geranium Africanum (African Geranium) suggested "Possent ergo ii, quibus novi generis cupido est, ea, quorum flores inaequales vel et irrregulares sunt, Pelargonia vocare" (Those who wish a new genus can therefore call those, whose flowers are unequal or irregular, ‘Pelargonia’). The name was then formally introduced by Johannes Burman in 1738. However Carl Linnaeus who first formally described these plants in 1753 did not recognise Pelargonium and grouped together in the same genus (Geranium) the three similar genera Erodium, Geranium, and Pelargonium. Linnaeus' reputation prevented further differentiation for forty years. The eventual distinction between them was made by Charles L’Héritier based on the number of stamens or anthers, seven in the case of Pelargonium. In 1774, P. cordatum, P. crispum, P. quercifolium and P. radula were introduced, followed by P. capitatum in 1790.

 

Circumscription

Pelargonium is distinguished from the other genera in the family Geraniaceae by the presence of a hypanthium, which consists of an adnate nectar spur with one nectary, as well as a generally zygomorphic floral symmetry.

 

Subdivision

De Candolle first proposed dividing the genus into 12 sections in 1824, based on the diversity of growth forms. Traditionally the large number of Pelargonium species have been treated as sixteen sections, based on the classification of Knuth (1912) who described 15 sections, as modified by van der Walt et al. (1977-1997) who added Chorisma, Reniformia and Subsucculentia.

 

These are as follows;

 

section Campylia (Lindley ex Sweet) de Candolle

section Chorisma (Lindley ex Sweet) de Candolle

section Ciconium (Sweet) Harvey

section Cortusina (DC.) Harvey

section Glaucophyllum Harvey

section Hoarea (Sweet) de Candolle

section Isopetalum (Sweet) de Candolle

section Jenkinsonia (Sweet) de Candolle

section Ligularia (Sweet) Harvey

section Myrrhidium de Candolle

section Otidia (Lindley ex Sweet) de Candolle

section Pelargonium (Sweet) Harvey

section Peristera de Candolle

section Polyactium de Candolle

section Reniformia (Knuth) Dreyer

section Subsucculentia J.J.A. van der Walt

Phylogenetic analyses

All subdivision classifications had depended primarily on morphological differences till the era of phylogenetic analyses (Price and Palmer 1993). However phylogenetic analysis shows only three distinct clades, labelled A, B and C. In this analysis not all sections were monophyletic, although some were strongly supported including Chorisma, Myrrhidium and Jenkinsonia, while other sections were more paraphyletic. This in turn has led to a proposal, informal at this stage, of a reformulation of the infrageneric subdivision of Pelargonium.

 

In the proposed scheme of Weng et al. there would be two subgenera, based on clades A+B, and C respectively and seven sections based on subclades. Subsequent analysis with an expanded taxa set confirmed this infrageneric subdivision into two groups which also correspond to chromosome length (<1.5 μ, 1.5-3.0μ), but also two subclades within each major clade, suggesting the presence of four subgenera, these correspond to clades A, B, C1 and C2 of the earlier analysis, A being by far the largest clade with 141 taxa. As before the internal structure of the clades supported monophyly of some sections (Myrrhidium, Chorisma, Reniformia, Pelargonium, Ligularia and Hoarea) but paraphyly in others (Jenkinsonia, Ciconium, Peristera). A distinct clade could be identified within the paraphyletic Polyactium, designated section Magnistipulacea. As a result, Polyactium has been split up to provide this new section, which in itself contains two subsections, Magnistipulacea and Schizopetala, following Knuth's original treatment of Polyactium as having four subsections.

 

Subgenus Pelargonium section Otidia: P. crithmifolium

Thus Röschenbleck et al. (2014) provide a complete revision of the subgeneric classification of Pelargonium based on four subgenera corresponding to their major clades (A, B, C1, C2);

 

subgenus Magnipetala Roeschenbl. & F. Albers Type: Pelargonium praemorsum (Andrews) F Dietrich

subgenus Parvulipetala Roeschenbl. & F. Albers Type: Pelargonium hypoleucum Turczaninow

subgenus Paucisignata Roeschenbl. & F. Albers Type: Pelargonium zonale (L.) L'Hér. in Aiton

subgenus Pelargonium L'Hér. Type: Pelargonium cucullatum (L.) Aiton

Sixteen sections were then assigned to the new subgenera as follows, although many species remained only assigned to subgenera at this stage

 

subgenus Magnipetala 3 sections

section Chorisma (Lindley ex Sweet) de Candolle - 4 species

section Jenkinsonia (Sweet) de Candolle - 11 species

section Myrrhidium de Candolle - 8 species

subgenus Parvulipetala 3 sections

section Isopetalum (Sweet) de Candolle - 1 species (Pelargonium cotyledonis (L.) L'Hér.)

section Peristera de Candolle - 30 species

section Reniformia (Knuth) Dreyer - 8 species

subgenus Paucisignata 2 sections

section Ciconium (Sweet) Harvey - 16 species

section Subsucculentia J.J.A. van der Walt - 3 species

subgenus Pelargonium 8 sections

section Campylia (Lindley ex Sweet) de Candolle - 9 species

section Cortusina (DC.) Harvey - 7 species

section Hoarea (Sweet) de Candolle - 72 species

section Ligularia (Sweet) Harvey - 10 species

section Magnistipulacea Roeschenbl. & F. Albers Type: Pelargonium schlecteri Knuth - 2 subsections

subsection Magnistipulacea Roeschenbl. & F. Albers Type: Pelargonium schlecteri Knuth - 2 species (P. schlecteri & P. luridum)

subsection Schizopetala (Knuth) Roeschenbl. & F. Albers Type: Pelargonium caffrum (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Steudel - 3 species (P. caffrum, P. bowkeri, P. schizopetalum)

section Otidia (Lindley ex Sweet) de Candolle - 14 species

section Pelargonium L'Hér. - 34 species

section Polyactium de Candolle - 2 subsections

subsection Caulescentia Knuth - 1 species (Pelargonium gibbosum)

subsection Polyactium de Candolle - 7 species

Subgenera

Subgenus Magnipetala: Corresponds to clade C1, with 24 species. Perennial to short lived, spreading subshrubs, rarely herbaceous annuals. Petals five, but may be four, colour mainly white. Mainly winter rainfall region of South Africa, spreading into summer rainfall region. One species in northern Namibia and Botswana. Two species in East Africa and Ethiopia. Chromosomes x=11 and 9.

 

Subgenus Parvulipetala: Corresponds to clade B, with 39-42 species. Perennials, partly annuals. Petals five and equal, colour white or pink to deep purplish red. Mainly South Africa, but also other southern hemisphere except South America. a few species in East Africa and Ethiopia. Chromosomes x=7-19.

 

Subgenus Paucisignata: Corresponds to clade C2, with 25-27 species. Erect sometimes trailing shrubs or subshrubs, rarely geophytes or semi-geophytes. Petals five and equal, colour pink to red sometimes white. Summer rainfall region of South Africa, spreading into winter rainfall region and northern Namibia, with a few species in tropical Africa, Ethiopia, Somalia, Madagascar, the Arabian Peninsula and Asia Minor. Chromosomes x=mainly 9 or 10, but from 4-18.

 

Subgenus Pelargonium: Corresponds to clade A, with 167 species. Frequently xerophytic deciduous perennials with many geophytes and succulent subshrubs, less frequently woody evergreen shrubs or annual herbs. Petals five, colour shades of pink to purple or yellow. Winter rainfall region of South Africa and adjacent Namibia, spreading to summer rainfall area, and two species in tropical Africa. Chromosomes x=11, may be 8-10.

 

Species

Main article: List of Pelargonium species

Pelargonium has around 280 species. Röschenbleck et al lists 281 taxa. There is considerable confusion as to which Pelargonium are true species, and which are cultivars or hybrids. The nomenclature has changed considerably since the first plants were introduced to Europe in the 17th century.

 

Distribution

Pelargonium is a large genus within the family Geraniaceae, which has a worldwide distribution in temperate to subtropical zones with some 800 mostly herbaceous species. Pelargonium itself is native to southern Africa (including Namibia) and Australia. Southern Africa contains 90% of the genus, with only about 30 species found elsewhere, predominantly the East African rift valley (about 20 species) and southern Australia, including Tasmania. The remaining few species are found in southern Madagascar, Yemen, Iraq, Asia Minor, the north of New Zealand and isolated islands in the south Atlantic Ocean (Saint Helena and Tristan da Cunha) and Socotra in the Indian Ocean. The centre of diversity is in southwestern South Africa where rainfall is confined to the winter, unlike the rest of the country where rainfall is predominantly in the summer months. Most of the Pelargonium plants cultivated in Europe and North America have their origins in South Africa.

 

Ecology

Pelargonium species are eaten by the caterpillars of some Lepidoptera species, including the noctuid moth angle shades, Phlogophora meticulosa. The diurnal butterflies Cacyreus marshalli and C. tespis (Lycaenidae), native to southern Africa, also feed on Geranium and Pelargonium. C. marshallii has been introduced to Europe and can develop into a pest on cultivated Pelargoniums. It has naturalised along the Mediterranean, but does not survive the winter in Westen Europe.

 

The Japanese beetle, an important agricultural insect pest, becomes rapidly paralyzed after consuming flower petals of the garden hybrids known as "zonal geraniums" (P. × hortorum). The phenomenon was first described in 1920, and subsequently confirmed. Research conducted by Dr. Christopher Ranger with the USDA Agricultural Research Service and other collaborating scientists have demonstrated the excitatory amino acid called quisqualic acid present within the flower petals is responsible for causing paralysis of the Japanese beetle. Quisqualic acid is thought to mimic L-glutamic acid, which is a neurotransmitter in the insect neuromuscular junction and mammalian central nervous system.

 

A study by the Laboratory of Apiculture & Social Insects group at the University of Sussex on the attractiveness of common garden plants to pollinators found that a cultivar of Pelargonium × hortorum was unattractive to pollinators in comparison to other selected garden plants such as Lavandula (lavender) and Origanum.

 

Pests and diseases

Main articles: List of geranium diseases, Pelargonium flower break virus, and Pelargonium line pattern virus

The geranium bronze butterfly is a pest of Pelargonium species. The larvae of the geranium bronze bore into the stem of the host plant, causing the stem to typically turn black and die soon after. Geranium bronze are currently listed as an A2 quarantine pest by the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization and can cause significant damage to Pelargonium species.

 

Cultivation

 

Pelargonium triste, the first species of its genus to be cultivated, here shown in its native habitat in Cape Town

Various types of Pelargonium are regular participants in flower shows and competitive events, with numerous societies devoted exclusively to their cultivation. They are easy to propagate vegetatively from cuttings. It is recommended that cuttings should have at least two nodes. Zonal geraniums grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 9 through 12. Zonal geraniums are basically tropical perennials. Although they are often grown as annuals, they may overwinter in zones as cool as zone 7.

 

Cultivation history

The first species of Pelargonium known to be cultivated was P. triste, a native of South Africa. It was probably brought to the Botanical Garden in Leiden before 1600 on ships which had stopped at the Cape of Good Hope. In 1631, the English gardener John Tradescant the elder bought seeds from Rene Morin in Paris and introduced the plant to England. By 1724, P. inquinans, P. odoratissimum, P. peltatum, P. vitifolium, and P. zonale had been introduced to Europe.

 

Cultivars

 

Zonal pelargonium

There was little attempt at any rational grouping of Pelargonium cultivars, the growing of which was revived in the mid-twentieth century, and the origins of many if not most were lost in obscurity. In 1916 the American botanist Liberty Hyde Bailey (1858–1954) introduced two new terms for zonal and regal pelargoniums. Those pelargoniums which were largely derived from P. zonale he referred to as P. × hortorum (i.e. from the garden), while those from P. cucullatum he named P. × domesticum (i.e. from the home) In the late 1950s a list (the Spalding List) was produced in the United States, based on nursery listings and the 1897 list of Henri Dauthenay. It described seven groups, listing each cultivar with the list of its originator, and in most cases a date. These were Species, Zonals, Variegated-Leaved, Domesticum (Regals), Ivy-Leaved, Scented-Leaved and Old. In the 1970s the British Pelargonium and Geranium Society produced a checklist and the Australian Geranium Society started to produce a register but it was not completed till its author, Jean Llewellyn's death in 1999. None of these were published. The most complete list in its time was the 2001 compilation by The Geraniaceae Group, which included all cultivars up to 1959.

 

Registration of cultivars is the responsibility of the Pelargonium & Geranium Society (PAGS: formed in 2009 from the British Pelargonium and Geranium Society and the British and European Geranium Society) which administers the International Register of Pelargonium Cultivars. PAGS is the International Cultivar Registration Authority (ICRA) of the International Society for Horticultural Science for pelargoniums.

  

Contrasting leaves: Ivy-leaved Group (Left) Zonal Group (Right)

Cultivated pelargoniums are commonly divided into six groups in addition to species pelargoniums and primary hybrids. The following list is ordered by position in the PAGS classification. Abbreviations indicate Royal Horticultural Society usage.

 

A. Zonal (Z)

B. Ivy-leaved (I)

C. Regal (R)

D. Angel (A)

E. Unique (U)

F. Scented-leaved (Sc)

G. Species

H. Primary hybrids

Of these, A, U and Sc groups are sometimes lumped together as Species Derived (Sppd). This term implies that they are closely related to a species from which they were derived, and do not fit into the R, I or Z groups.

 

In addition to the primary groups, additional descriptors are used. The Royal Horticultural Society has created description codes. These include;

 

Cactus (Ca)

Coloured foliage (C)

Decorative (Dec)

Double (d)

Dwarf (Dw)

Dwarf Ivy-leaved (Dwl)

Frutetorum (Fr)

Miniature (Min)

Miniature Ivy-leaved (MinI)

Stellar (St)

Tulip (T)

Variegated (v)

These may then be combined to form the code, e.g. Pelargonium 'Chelsea Gem' (Z/d/v), indicating Zonal Double with variegated foliage. Crosses between groups are indicated with an ×, e.g. Pelargonium 'Hindoo' (R × U), indicating a Regal × Unique cross.

 

A. Zonal pelargoniums (Pelargonium × hortorum Bailey)

 

Pelargonium × hortorum (Zonal)

These are known as zonal geraniums because many have zones or patterns in the center of the leaves,[36] this is the contribution of the Pelargonium zonale parent. Common names include storksbill, fish or horseshoe geraniums.[50] They are also referred to as Pelargonium × hortorum Bailey. Zonal pelargoniums are tetraploid, mostly derived from P. inquinans and P. zonale, together with P. scandens and P. frutetorum.

 

Zonal pelargoniums are mostly bush-type plants with succulent stems grown for the beauty of their flowers, traditionally red, salmon, violet, white or pink. The scarlet colouring is attributed to the contribution of P. inquinans. Flowers may be double or single. They are the pelargoniums most often confused with genus Geranium, particularly in summer bedding arrangements. This incorrect nomenclature is widely used in horticulture, particularly in North America.

 

Zonals include a variety of plant types along with genetic hybrids such as hybrid ivy-leaved varieties that display little or no ivy leaf characteristics (the Deacons varieties), or the Stellar varieties. Hybrid zonals are crosses between zonals and either a species or species-derived pelargonium. There are hundreds of zonal cultivars available for sale, and like other cultivars are sold in series such as 'Rocky Mountain', each of which is named after its predominant colour, e.g. 'Rocky Mountain Orange', 'White', 'Dark Red', etc.

  

'Rocky Mountain Orange' (Zonal)

(i) Basic plants – Mature plants with foliage normally exceeding 180 mm (7 in) in height above the rim of the pot. For exhibition these should be grown in a pot exceeding 120 mm (4+3⁄4 in) in diameter but not normally exceeding 165 mm (6+1⁄2 in).

(ii) Dwarf plants – Smaller than basic. Mature plants with foliage more than 125 mm (5 in) above the rim of the pot, but not normally more than 180 mm (7 in). For exhibition should be grown in a pot exceeding 90 mm (3+1⁄2 in) but not exceeding 120 mm (4+3⁄4 in). They should not exceed 200 mm in height, grown in an 11 cm pot.

(iii) Miniature plants – Slowly growing pelargoniums. Mature plants with foliage normally less than 125 mm (5 in) above the rim of the pot. For exhibition should be grown in a pot not exceeding 90 mm (3+1⁄2 in). They should not exceed 125 mm in height, grown in a 9 cm pot.

(iv) Micro-miniature plants – Smaller and more slowly growing than miniature pelargoniums. Mature plants with foliage normally less than 100 mm (4 in) above the rim of the pot. They should not exceed 75 mm in height, grown in a 6 cm pot. Usually no separate classes for these in exhibition and will therefore normally be shown as Miniature Zonals.

(v) Deacon varieties –Genetic hybrid similar to a large Dwarf. For exhibition (when shown in a separate class), usually grown in a pot not exceeding 125 mm (5 in), otherwise as for Dwarf Zonals.

(vi) Stellar varieties – A relatively modern genetic hybrid originating from the work done by the Australian hybridiser Ted Both in the late 1950s and 1960s from crosses between Australian species and Zonal types. Easily identifiable by their distinctive half-star-shaped leaves and slim-petalled blooms which create an impression of being star shaped (or five fingered). Single varieties tend to have larger elongated triangular petals whereas doubles tend to have thin feathered petals that are tightly packed together. For exhibition purposes there is a separate class for 'Stellar' varieties, but being Zonals could be shown in an open class for Basic, Dwarf or Miniature Zonals (unless otherwise stated). Also known as "The Five-fingered Geraniums", "Staphysagroides", "Both’s Staphs", "Both’s Hybrid Staphs", "Fingered Flowers" and "Bodey’s Formosum Hybrids".

Fancy-leaf zonal pelargoniums – besides having green leaves with or without zoning, this group also have variable coloured foliage[50] that is sometimes used in classifying for exhibition purposes, e.g. ‘Bicolour’, ‘Tricolour’, ‘Bronze’ or ‘Gold’. Other foliage types are: ‘Black’ or ‘Butterfly’. There are an increasing number of these plants with showy blooms;

 

(a) Bicolour – includes those with white or cream veined leaves or those with two distinct colours with clearly defined edges, other than the basic zone.

(b) Tricolour – (May be Silver Tricolour (usually called a Silver Leaf) or a Gold Tricolour).

(i) Gold Tricolour – Leaves of many colours including red and gold, but usually with clearly defined edges of golden yellow and having a leaf zone, usually red or bronze, that overlays two or more of the other distinct leaf colours, so that the zone itself appears as two or more distinct colours.

(ii) Silver Tricolour or Silver Leaf – These tend to resemble a normal bi-colour leaf plant with two distinct colours usually of green and pale cream or white; the third colour is usually made up of bronze zoning. When this zoning overlays the green part of the leaf it is deemed to represent a silver colour.

(c) Bronze Leaved – Leaves of Green or Golden/Green with a heavy bronze or chestnut coloured centre zone which is known as a medallion. For exhibition purposes, when exhibited in specific ‘Bronze’ Leaf class – Must have over 50% of leaf surface bronze coloured. The dwarf plant ‘Overchurch’ which has a heavy bronze medallion.

(d) Gold Leaved – Leaves coloured golden/yellow or green/yellow but not showing a tendency to green. For exhibition purposes, when exhibited in specific ‘Gold’ Leaf class – Must have over 50% of leaf surface gold coloured.

(e) Black Leaved – Leaves coloured black, purple-black or with distinct large dark zones or centre markings on green.

(f) Butterfly Leaved – Leaves with a butterfly marking of distinct tone or hue in centre of leaf. This can be encompassed in many of the coloured leaf varieties.

Zonal pelargoniums have many flower types, as follows:

 

(a) Single flowered (S) – each flower pip normally having no more than five petals. This is the standard flower set for all Pelargoniums.

(b) Semi-double flowered (SD) – each flower pip normally having between six and nine petals.

(c) Double flowered (D)– each flower pip composed of more than nine petals (i.e. double the standard flower set) but not ‘hearted’ like the bud of a rose, e.g. the dwarf ‘Dovepoint’ which has full double blooms.

(d) Rosebud (or noisette) flowered – each bloom fully double and ‘hearted’. The middle petals are so numerous that they remain unopened like the bud of a rose.

(e) Tulip flowered – having semi-double blooms that never fully open. The large cup shaped petals open just sufficiently to resemble a miniature tulip.

(f) Bird's-egg group – having blooms with petals that have spots in a darker shade than the base colour, like many birds eggs.

(g) Speckled flowered group – having petals that are marked with splashes and flecks of another colour, e.g. ‘Vectis Embers’.

(h) Quilled (or cactus-flowered group, or poinsettia in USA) – having petals twisted and furled like a quill.

“Zonquil” pelargoniums result from a cross between Zonal pelargonium cultivars and P. quinquelobatum.

 

B. Ivy-leaved pelargoniums (derived from Pelargonium peltatum)

 

Pelargonium peltatum (Ivy-leaved)

Also known as "ivy geraniums". Usually of lax growth (trailing), mainly due to the long thin stems, with thick, waxy ivy-shaped stiff fleshy evergreen leaves developed by the species P. peltatum to retain moisture during periods of drought. Much used for hanging pots, tubs and basket cultivation. In the UK the bulbous double-headed types are preferred whilst on the European continent the balcon single types for large-scale hanging floral displays are favoured. Ivy-leaved pelargoniums embrace all such growth size types including small-leaved varieties and genetic hybrid crosses, which display little or no zonal characteristics. May have bicolour leaves and may have flowers that are single, double or rosette. Ivy pelargoniums are often sold as series such as 'Great Balls of Fire', in a variety of colours such as 'Great Balls of Fire Burgundy'.

 

Additional descriptive terms include;

 

Hybrid Ivy — the result of ivy × zonal crosses, but still more closely resemble ivy-leaved pelargoniums.

Fancy leaf — leaves with marked color variation, together with or other than green.

Miniature — miniature leaves and flowers, stems with short nodes, and compact growth. e.g. 'Sugar Baby' listed as Dwarf Ivy (DwI) by RHS.

C. Regal pelargoniums (Pelargonium × domesticum Bailey)

 

'Karl Offenstein' (Regal)

These are large bush-type floriferous evergreen pelargoniums. In addition to "Regals" they are also known as “Show Pelargoniums”. In the United States they are often known as the "Martha Washington" or ‘"Lady Washington" pelargoniums. They are grown primarily for the beauty and richness of their flower heads, which are large. Most of those cultivars grown currently are the result of hybridization over the last 50 years. They are very short-jointed and compact, which results in their requiring very little work in order to create a floriforous and well-rounded plant. Flowers are single, rarely double, in mauve, pink, purple or white. They have rounded, sometimes lobed or partially toothed (serrated) leaves, unlike the Zonal groups, without any type of zoning.

 

Additional descriptive terms include;

Decorative pelargoniums (Decoratives) – Descendants of older, less compact, smaller-flowered varieties that are more suited to outdoor conditions. These have smaller flowers than Regal, but are otherwise similar. e.g. ‘Royal Ascot’

Miniature – Flowers and leaves similar to Regal, but miniature in form, with compact growth. Other terms include “Pansy Geraniums” or “Pansy Pelargoniums”. e.g. ‘Lara Susan’

Oriental pelargoniums – The result of crosses between Regals and members of the Angel group (see below). Some have bicolour foliage.

D. Angel pelargoniums (derived from Pelargonium crispum)

 

'Angeleyes Randy' (Angel)

Angel pelargoniums are similar to Regal pelargoniums but more closely resemble P. crispum in leaf shape and growth habit. The majority of Angel cultivars originate from a cross between P. crispum and a Regal variety in the early part of the 20th century. Angels have grown in popularity in the last 30 years or so due mainly to an explosion of new varieties being released by specialist nurseries resulting from the work done by dedicated amateur hybridisers. These hybrisers have managed to obtain many new flower colour breaks and tighter growth habits resulting in plants suitable for all sorts of situations. Angels basically have the appearance of a small Regal with small serrated leaves and much smaller flowers and are more compact and bushy. The group extends to include similar small-leaved and -flowered types but usually with P. crispum in their parentage. They are mostly upright bush-type plants but there are some lax varieties that can be used for basket or hanging pot cultivation. Often called "pansy-faced" in the US. Some varieties have bicolour foliage. Other terms include ‘Langley-Smith Hybrids’.

 

E. Unique pelargoniums (derived from Pelargonium fulgidum)

 

Unique in sense of not fitting into any of the above categories. The parentage of Unique pelargoniums is confused and obscure. One theory being a derivation from P. fulgidum, but a derivation from an older cultivar 'Old Unique’, also known as or ‘Rollinson’s Crimson’, in the mid-19th century is also claimed. Unique pelargoniums resemble upright Scented Leaf pelargoniums in being shrubby and woody evergreens. They have distinctly scented leaves, and small flowers with blotched and feathered petals. They may have bicolour foliage. Some types, popularly known in the hobby as hybrid Uniques, have been crossed with Regal pelargoniums and, as a result of this cross, are much more floriferous.

 

Cultivar

Pelargonium graveolens (Scented leaf)

Shrubby evergreen perennials grown chiefly for their fragrance, may be species or cultivars but all must have a clear and distinct scented foliage. Scent is emitted when the leaves are touched or bruised with some scents aromatic, others pungent and in a few cases, quite unpleasant. Several of the scented leaved pelargoniums are grown for the oil geraniol, which is extracted from the leaves and is an essential oil much used commercially in perfumery. The scent of some species growing in their natural habitat, acts as a deterrent to grazing animals who appear to dislike the emitted scent. Conversely, it also attracts other insect life to visit the bloom and pollinate the plant. The scented leaves can be used for potpourri and they also have a use as flavourings in cooking. Occasionally scented types can be found in some of the other groups mentioned; for example, the Angels, having P. crispum in their genetic makeup, can often have a strong citrus scent. Leaves are lobed, toothed, incised or variegated. Growth habit is very variable, but the flowers are less prominent than other groups, and most closely resemble the species they originated from.

 

These include:

Pelargonium ionidiflorum (Scented leaf)

Almond - Pelargonium quercifolium

Apple - Pelargonium odoratissimum

Apple - Pelargonium cordifolium

Apple/Mint - Pelargonium album

Apricot/Lemon - Pelargonium scabrum

Balsam - Pelargonium panduriforme

Camphor - Pelargonium betulinum

Celery - Pelargonium ionidiflorum

Cinnamon - Pelargonium 'Ardwyck Cinnamon'

Coconut - Pelargonium grossalarioides (Pelargonium parriflorum)

Eau de Cologne - Pelargonium 'Brilliantine'

Eucalyptus - Pelargonium 'Secret Love'

Grapefruit - Pelargonium 'Poquita'

Ginger - Pelargonium 'Torrento' or 'Cola Bottles' which is a variety of Pelargonium x nervosum

Hazelnut - Pelargonium 'Odorata Hazelnut

Lavender - Pelargonium 'Lavender Lindy'

Lemon - Pelargonium crispum

Lemon - Pelargonium citronellum (Synonym - Pelargonium 'Mabel Grey')

Lemon Balm - Pelargonium x melissinum

Lime - Pelargonium x nervosum

Myrrh - Pelargonium myrrhifolium

Nutmeg - Pelargonium x fragrans

Old Spice - Variety of Pelargonium x fragrans

Orange - Pelargonium x citriodorum (Synonym - Pelargonium 'Prince of Orange')

Peach - Pelargonium 'Peaches and Cream'

Peppermint - Pelargonium tomentosum

Pine - Pelargonium denticulatum

Pineapple - Pelargonium 'Brilliant'

Raspberry - Pelargonium 'Red Raspberry'

Rose - Pelargonium graveolens (Synonym - Pelargonium roseum)

Rose - Pelargonium capitatum

Rose - Pelargonium radens

Southernwood - Pelargonium abrotanifolium

Spicy - Pelargonium exstipulatum

Strawberry - Pelargonium x scarboroviae

Cultivars

'Attar of Roses' - a cultivar of P. capitatum

'Crowfoot Rose' - a cultivar of P. radens

'Dr. Livingston' - a cultivar of P. radens

'Grey Lady Plymouth' - a cultivar of P. graveolens

'Prince Rupert' - a cultivar of P. crispum

G. Species pelargoniums

The species are the forefathers of all the cultivar groups listed above. In general, the definition of a species is that it breeds true, and is to be found doing this in the "wild". Species pelargoniums have a large diversity of characteristics in habit, shape, size and colour, which probably accounts for them having retained their popularity for more than 300 years.

 

H. Primary hybrids

A primary hybrid is recognised as being the resultant plant from a first-time cross between two different known species. Examples are P. × ardens – from P. lobatum × P. fulgidum (1810). P. × glauciifolium – from P. gibbosum × P. lobatum (1822). Usually, but not always, primary hybrids are sterile.

 

The following is a selection of pelargoniums which have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:

 

'Attar of Roses' (rose scented leaves, pink flowers)

'Citriodorum' (lemon scented leaves, rose pink flowers

'Dolly Varden' (variegated leaves, scarlet flowers)

'Frank Headley' (cream vareigated leaves, salmon pink flowers)

'Fringed Aztec' (white & purple fringed flowers)

'Gemstone' (scented leaves, pink flowers)

'Grace Thomas' (lemon scented leaves, pale pink flowers)

'Joy' (pink & white frilled flowers)

'Lady Plymouth' (P. graveolens variegata - small mauve flowers)

'Lara Candy Dancer' (scented leaves, pale mauve flowers)

'Lara Starshine' (aromatic leaves, lilac flowers.

'L'Élégante' (ivy-leaved, trailing, white and purple flowers)

'Mabel Grey' (lemon-scented leaves, mauve flowers)

'Mrs Quilter' (bronze leaves, salmon pink flowers)

'Radula' (lemon & rose scented leaves, pink & purple flowers)

'Royal Oak' (balsam scented leaves, mauve flowers)

'Spanish Angel' (lilac & magenta flowers)

'Sweet Mimosa' (balsam-scented leaves, pale pink flowers)

'Tip Top Duet' (pink & wine-red flowers)

'Voodoo' (crimson & black flowers)

P. tomentosum (peppermint-scented leaves, small white flowers)

Usage

Ornamental plants

Pelargoniums rank as one of the highest number of potted flowering plants sold and also in terms of wholesale value.

 

Scented leaf pelargoniums

Other than being grown for their beauty, species such as P. graveolens are important in the perfume industry and are cultivated and distilled for their scents. Although scented pelargoniums exist which have smells of citrus, mint, pine, spices or various fruits, the varieties with rose scents are most commercially important. Pelargonium distillates and absolutes, commonly known as "scented geranium oil" are sometimes used to supplement or adulterate expensive rose oils. The oils of the scented pelargoniums contain citronellol, geraniol, eugenol, alpha-pinene and many other compounds. The edible leaves and flowers are also used as a flavouring in desserts, cakes, jellies and teas. Scented-leafed pelargoniums can be used to flavor jellies, cakes, butters, ice cream, iced tea and other dishes, The rose-, lemon- and peppermint-scents are most commonly used. Also used are those with hints of peach, cinnamon and orange. Commonly used lemon-scented culinary species include P. crispum and P. citronellum. Rose-scenteds include P. graveolens and members of the P. graveolens cultivar group. Other species and cultivars with culinary use include the lime-scented P. ‘Lime’, the lemon balm-scented P. ‘Lemon Balm’, the strawberry-lemon-scented P. ‘Lady Scarborough’ and the peppermint-scented P. tomentosum.[81] Scented leaf pelargoniums have also been historically used as toilet paper by fishermen in remote places, such as the Minquiers.

 

Herbal medicine

In herbal medicine, Pelargonium has been used for intestinal problems, wounds and respiratory ailments, but Pelargonium species have also been used for fevers, kidney complaints and other conditions. Geranium (Pelargonium) oil is considered a relaxant in aromatherapy, and in recent years, respiratory/cold remedies made from P. sidoides and P. reniforme have been sold in Europe and the United States. P. sidoides along with Echinacea is used for bronchitis. P. odoratissimum is used for its astringent, tonic and antiseptic effects. It is used internally for debility, gastroenteritis, and hemorrhage and externally for skin complaints, injuries, and neuralgia and throat infections. The essential oil is used in aromatherapy.

 

Pets

According to the ASPCA, these plants are toxic to cats, dogs, and horses.

 

Chemistry

Pelargonin (pelargonidin 3,5-O-diglucoside) is a petal pigment of the scarlet pelargonium.

 

Culture

The chemist, John Dalton, realized that he was color blind in 1794 when he heard others describe the color of the flowers of the pink Pelargonium zonale as pink or red, when to him it looked either pink or blue, having no relationship to red at all.

The time has come to make the post I’ve been dreading. I’ve mentioned Gracie’s loss of mobility in my weekly posts but I haven’t been able to bring myself to share the reason she is declining. It appears she has degenerative myelopathy, a canine neuromuscular disease similar to ALS. Some of you noticed last fall that her tail was drooping. That was one of the earliest symptoms, along with muscle wasting we originally attributed to her poor appetite due to her inflammatory bowel disease. Then we noticed she was sometimes stumbling on one and then eventually both of her back feet, coming down on her toes or even the top of her foot instead of her pads. She also began having involuntary muscle twitches. After our vet ruled out a disc problem or tumor, we were left with degenerative myelopathy as a diagnosis of elimination. Like ALS, DM is progressive and untreatable.

 

I just haven’t been able to bring myself to share this until now. Continuing to take pictures of Gracie enjoying herself has allowed me to live in a bit of denial about her decline even as she has slowly been developing all the symptoms of disease progression. Her back legs have become weak and uncoordinated. She is finding it increasingly difficult to get up and is now beginning to stumble with her front feet, leading to a lot of falls. She is beginning to have trouble positioning herself exactly how she wants to sleep. We are forced to confront the fact that her quality of life is now being affected by the disease, and so we find ourselves at the very worst stage of sharing life with dogs. I’m not sure how long we have left with Gracie, but we are clear we won’t let it get so bad she is merely existing rather than enjoying life just to keep her with us a bit longer. I’ve been through this enough times to know there’s no such thing as being ready to say goodbye but that a point will come when we must.

 

I know some of you are as fond of Gracie as I am of so many of your dogs I’ve come to know through Flickr over the years and that’s part of why I haven’t been able to bring myself to share this sad news. I hope you all understand, but I don’t want to chronicle this painful part of the long life we’ve been blessed to enjoy with Gracie. I am going to step away from posting weekly shots of her on Flickr. I want to focus on simply being present with her in the moment as much as I can, memorizing details like the feel of her silky her ears and the sparkle of her beautiful eyes. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

The Central American Coral Snake or in Spanish Serpiente-coralillo centroamericana (Micrurus nigrocinctus) is a beautiful but deadly creature. The venom of the Central American Coral Snake contains a neurotoxin that can, if it bites you, cause severe neuromuscular dysfunction. Or as I was told by one of the locals when I asked what it was, he responded by telling me it was a “One-way ticket to God”. This snake was not aggressive but deserved the greatest of respect. I would like to thank James Adams (owner of the Pico Bonito Lodge and an experienced herpetologist) for manipulating this beautiful snake so I could photograph it. Pico Bonito Lodge, Honduras.

Lovely juvenile sea lion on the beach at Morro Strand, north of Morro Rock (looming in the background).

 

This young sea lion came ashore in the midafternoon, on a beach with plenty of people, horses, and dogs running around, and allowed people to approach him quite closely.

 

At first excited by the photographic opportunity, I didn't realize anything was wrong. When I zoomed in to take some detail shots, I noticed that his chest was trembling. He would move forward, but sometimes lose his balance and fall forward, stumble and catch himself, then tremble more. I kept thinking how I had never seen a seal come ashore like that, and not make a break for the water when people approached. He was clearly in distress, and also quite dangerous. Children would run up to him, an older man stood between him and the water and he rocked back and forth, very upset, but only shuffled a few feet, then trembled again.

 

I spoke to a young family nearby (whose young daughter I had been photographing), asking if they knew of any seal rescue group to contact. They recommended I speak to the ranger at the nearby campground, said they would feel better about leaving if they knew I was calling someone about it.

 

The ranger gave me the number of the Marine Mammal Center in Monterey, who took my name & number and paged someone to call me back. Several calls later, after they realized I was not just exaggerating his condition, they said they would try to send someone out by nightfall, and if they didn't make it then, first thing in the morning.

 

I was quite dejected, really. I knew that people were harassing him, though without meaning too. I knew he was scared and sick, and that there was also the possibility of someone getting really hurt if they got too close and he charged them. I plunked down in the sand and watched him for a bit, then got another call. They asked again about his condition and, to my delight, said they had someone in Morro Bay and they would be right there.

 

Within a half hour, they arrived and I got to witness (and photograph, though I only had limited memory left) the capture and rescue of this young seal. He will be taken to a holding tank in Monterey, where he may be saved.

 

They told me about the "red tide," algae blooms that make mackerel and anchovies toxic to the seals that eat them. The seals essentially poison themselves, create neuromuscular failure (the shaking and loss of balance I witnessed) and do often die if not treated, detoxified.

 

I hope I can check on the status of my little seal. I hope he makes it, and I while it was amazing to see him so close, I hope I don't see anything like it again, because it means another one is in trouble.

 

Thanks to the Marine Mammal Rescue people who responded so quickly to my call. Thanks to the K. family as well for their help (and the lovely photos of their daughter).

 

Later this week I'll upload more photos of the seal, the rescue, and the family who helped out in his capture.

 

Update: Called about the seal today. He made it through the night and is in a holding tank at the marine hospital. He hasn't had any more seizures and, though they weren't willing to guess whether he'll make it, he's doing pretty well! Yay. :)

Blue ring octopus :

The bite might be painless, but this octopus injects a neuromuscular paralysing venom. The venom contains some maculotoxin, a poison more violent than any found on land animals. The nerve conduction is blocked and neuromuscular paralysis is followed by death. The victim might be saved if artificial respiration starts before marked cyanosis and hypotension develops. With a beak that can penetrate a wet-suit, they are one little cute creature to definitely look at BUT Don't touch. The blue-ringed octopus is the size of a golf ball but its poison is powerful enough to kill an adult human in minutes. There's no known antidote. The only treatment is hours of heart massage and artificial respiration until the poison has worked its way out of your system.

 

The venom contains tetrodotoxin, which blocks sodium channels and causes motor paralysis and occasionally respiratory failure. Though with fixed dilated pupils, the senses of the patients are often intact. The victims are aware but unable to respond.(take from blue ring octopus wikipedia)

 

It was taken from my dive @ Manado....

Tawny Rajah, Varigated Rajah and Yellow Rajah

Puddling

Is male puddling behavior of tropical butterflies targeted at sodium for nuptial gifts or activity?

  

ABSTRACT

An apparent sexual difference in adult feeding behaviour in many species of Lepidoptera relates to puddling on mud, dung and carrion. In most butterfly species, puddling is exclusively a male behaviour. A possible explanation for this division in feeding behaviour is that nutrients derived from puddling are transferred to the female in the spermatophore during mating as a nuptial gift. Sodium derived from puddling has been shown to act as a nuptial gift in a few Lepidoptera species. It can also be used for neuromuscular activity in both males and females and may therefore correlate with flight morphology. In this study, we examine the generality of these two hypotheses in comparative work on a community of African fruit-feeding butterflies. We investigated puddling behaviour of males and females on carrion and dung together with sodium preferences, polyandry, relative wing-size, sexual size dimorphism and sodium concentrations in the bodies and spermatophores of several species. The results show that sodium as a nuptial gift can explain the sexual division in puddling in some species, but not in all. Species in which both sexes puddle transfer little sodium in the nuptial gift, which is consistent with the nuptial gift theory. Wing loading and puddling are not significantly correlated, but the trend followed the direction predicted by the activity hypothesis. However, the sodium concentration in the species with the smallest wing area to thoracic volume (WA/TV) ratio (the largest Charaxes spp.), was relatively low. Moreover, in all investigated species, the sodium concentration was higher in the abdomen than in the thorax. The results are discussed in the light of differences between the sexes in foraging behaviour in both larvae and adults, and with respect to alternative explanations for puddling. © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2005, 86, 345–361

  

Is male puddling behavior of tropical butterflies targeted at sodium for nuptial gifts or activity? (PDF Download Available). Available from: www.researchgate.net/publication/227807570_Is_male_puddli... [accessed Jan 15, 2016].

French promotion card by Barclay, no. 80 280. Photo: Sam Lévin.

 

On 28 May 2020, French actor, scriptwriter, stand-up comedian, and singer Guy Bedos (1934-2020) passed away. As an actor, he is best known for the films Un éléphant ça trompe énormément/Pardon Mon Affaire (Yves Robert, 1976) and the sequel Nous irons tous au paradis/We Will All Meet in Paradise (Yves Robert, 1977). On TV, he was popular for his satirical political sketches in Music-Hall. One of his wives was Sophie Daumier, with whom he appeared in several films and made several records.

 

Guy Bedos was born in 1934 in Algiers, France (now Algeria). He identified with the ethnic group Pied-Noir, having been born in Algeria. His parents were Alfred Bedos, health visitor, and Hildeberte Verdier, daughter of the headmaster of the high school Bugeaud, where he was raised. His parents separated, and he was tossed around. At the age of thirteen, he enrolled in a Catholic high school in Bone. According to his autobiography ‘Memories d’outre-mere’, his bad relationship with his mother and step-father made his life very difficult. His step-father beat his mother, who beat her son. He also wrote that his step-father was racist and antisemitic, but that his mother gave him his human political consciousness. He also revealed that during that period of time he had obsessive-compulsive disorders. In 1949, he arrived in Paris with his parents and his two twin half-sisters. In 1950, he left the family home of Rueil-Malmaison, and sold books, going door to door. At seventeen, he entered the Rue Blanche school, learned classical theatre, and signed his first production: 'Marivaux Arlequin poli par l’amour'. He played in theatres, but also cabarets, as La Fontaine des Quarte-Saisons. He was engaged by Francois Billetdoux, when Jacques Prevert, who found him writing, encouraged him to write sketches. He performed his first sketch, signed by Jacques Chazot, 'La Galerie 55'. In 1954, he made his first appearance in the cinema in Futures Vedettes by Marc Allégret. In order for him to fulfill his military service during the Algerian War, he went on a hunger strike and succeeded in being reformed for mental illness.

 

Guy Bedos met actress Sophie Daumier on stage in 'Cyrano de Bergerac' and again on the set of the film musical Dragées au poivre/Sweet and Sour (Jacques Baratier, 1963). They teamed up again in the film Aimez-vous les femmes/A Taste for Women (Jean Léon, 1964). The couple married in 1965, and through the 1960s and 1970s, they often paired together on stage and in films, and also had several hit records together. In 1965, Bedos appeared with Barbara in the music hall Bobino. Gradually, there were problems with Daumier, writes Bob Hufford at Find A Grave: “Always a bit ‘zany’, Sophie now became impossible either to work or to live with. Unable or unwilling to take stage direction, she was violent and destructive at home, leading to divorce in 1977.” Bedos started his solo career, as an actor in film and television movies. He is known for his recurring role as Simon, a doctor suffocated by his very possessive Jewish-foot-black mother, in Un éléphant ça trompe énormément/Pardon Mon Affaire (Yves Robert, 1976) and the sequel Nous irons tous au paradis/We Will All Meet in Paradise (Yves Robert, 1977). Since then, he has directed and performed many shows, including one with Michel Boujenah and Smaïn entitled 'Coup de soleil' at the Olympia, and one in duet with Muriel Robin in 1992. Sophie Daumier was diagnosed with Huntington's chorea, a hereditary, progressive, and fatal neuromuscular disorder. Stating that he would never have left her had he known the reason for her problems, Bedos, who had remarried in 1978, assumed the financial responsibility of Sophie's care till her death in 2004 as she became semi-vegetative. Bedos performed in plays such as 'La Résistible Ascension' by Bertolt Brecht. He also contributed regularly to the satirical weekly, Siné Hebdo, created by Siné. He had taken the defense of Siné when he had been accused of anti-Semitism by the director of Charlie Hebdo, Philippe Val. His final film was the French-German comedy Et si on vivait tous ensemble?/All Together (Stéphane Robelin, 2011), starring Jane Fonda and Geraldine Chaplin as participants of an alternate living experiment, that is observed by a graduate student played by Daniel Brühl. Guy Bedos was married three times, to Karen Blanguernon (1956-?), Sophie Daumier (1965-1977), and Joëlle Bercot (1978 - his death). He had four children, Leslie (1957; with Karen Blanguernon), Mélanie (1977, with Sophie Daumier), Nicolas (1980), and Victoria (1984; both with Joëlle Bercot). Guy Bedos passed away on 28 May 2020 at age 85. His death was confirmed by his son, Nicolas Bedos.

 

Sources: Bob Hufford (Find A Grave), Wikipedia, and IMDb.

 

And, please check out our blog European Film Star Postcards.

Taken on 28th Nov 2015 of this year’s Chester Cathedral Christmas Tree Festival. This is the third year that the Chester Cathedral’s cloisters will be beautifully lit by 40 majestic Christmas trees. They have all been Sponsored and decorated by local schools and businesses and the public are invited to vote on their favourite tree. All the money raised from this event will goto a local charity, The NeuroMuscular Centre.

 

For more information see:

chestercathedral.com/event/christmas-tree-festival/

 

Taken as part of my 2015 #ChristmasInChester photo project.

Public Domain. Suggested credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration . For more information Visit NASA's Multimedia Gallery You may wish to consult NASA's

image use guidelines. If you plan to use an image and especially if you are considering any commercial usage, you should be aware that some restrictions may apply.

________________________

 

NOTE: In most cases, NASA does not assert copyright protection for its images, but proper attribution may be required. This may be to NASA or various agencies and individuals that may work on any number of projects with NASA. Please DO NOT ATTRIBUTE TO PINGNEWS. You may say found via pingnews but pingnews is neither the creator nor the owner of these materials.

_________________

 

Additional information from source:

 

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Noted physicist Stephen Hawking (center) enjoys zero gravity during a flight aboard a modified Boeing 727 aircraft owned by Zero Gravity Corp. (Zero G). Hawking, who suffers from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (also known as Lou Gehrig's disease) is being rotated in air by (right) Peter Diamandis, founder of the Zero G Corp., and (left) Byron Lichtenberg, former shuttle payload specialist and now president of Zero G. Kneeling below Hawking is Nicola O'Brien, a nurse practitioner who is Hawking's aide. At the celebration of his 65th birthday on January 8 this year, Hawking announced his plans for a zero-gravity flight to prepare for a sub-orbital space flight in 2009 on Virgin Galactic's space service. Additional information from source:

 

No copyright protection is asserted for this photograph. If a recognizable person appears in this photograph, use for commercial purposes may infringe a right of privacy or publicity. It may not be used to state or imply the endorsement by NASA employees of a commercial product, process or service, or used in any other manner that might mislead. Accordingly, it is requested that if this photograph is used in advertising and other commercial promotion, layout and copy be submitted to NASA prior to release.

Learn more about the Sarcolab-3 or Myotendinous and Neuromuscular Adaption to Long-term Spaceflight experiment performed by ESA astronaut Paolo Nespoli as well as participating NASA astronauts and Roscosmos cosmonauts.

 

Follow Paolo via paolonespoli.esa.int and the dedicated VITA mission blog.

 

Credit: ESA

Learn more about the Sarcolab-3 or Myotendinous and Neuromuscular Adaption to Long-term Spaceflight experiment performed by ESA astronaut Paolo Nespoli as well as participating NASA astronauts and Roscosmos cosmonauts.

 

Follow Paolo via paolonespoli.esa.int and the dedicated VITA mission blog.

 

Credit: ESA

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Mammalia

Infraclass: Eutheria

Order: Eulipotyphla

Family: Soricidae

A shrew or shrew mouse (family Soricidae) is a small mole-like mammal classified in the order Eulipotyphla. True shrews are also not to be confused with West Indies shrews, treeshrews, otter shrews, or elephant shrews, which belong to different families or orders.

 

Although its external appearance is generally that of a long-nosed mouse, a shrew is not a rodent, as mice are. It is in fact a much closer relative of moles, and related to rodents only in that both belong to the Boreoeutheria Magnorder. Shrews have sharp, spike-like teeth, not the familiar gnawing front incisor teeth of rodents.

 

Shrews are distributed almost worldwide: of the major tropical and temperate land masses, only New Guinea, Australia, and New Zealand do not have any native shrews; in South America, shrews are relatively recent immigrants and are present only in the northern Andes. In terms of species diversity, the shrew family is the fourth most successful mammal family, being rivalled only by the muroid rodent families Muridae and Cricetidae and the bat family Vespertilionidae.

Characteristics

 

All shrews are comparatively small, most no larger than a mouse. The largest species is the Asian house shrew (Suncus murinus) of tropical Asia, which is about 15 cm long and weighs around 100 g; several are very small, notably the Etruscan shrew (Suncus etruscus), which at about 3.5 cm (1.4 in) and 2 g (0.071 oz) is the smallest living terrestrial mammal.

 

In general, shrews are terrestrial creatures that forage for seeds, insects, nuts, worms, and a variety of other foods in leaf litter and dense vegetation, but some specialise in climbing trees, living underground, living under snow, or even hunting in water. They have small eyes and generally poor vision, but have excellent senses of hearing and smell.[3] They are very active animals, with voracious appetites. Shrews have unusually high metabolic rates, above that expected in comparable small mammals. Shrews in captivity can eat 1/2 to 2 times their own body weight in food daily.

 

They do not hibernate, but are capable of entering torpor. In winter, many species undergo morphological changes that drastically reduce their body weight. Shrews can lose between 30% and 50% of their body weight, shrinking the size of bones, skull, and internal organs.

 

Whereas rodents have gnawing incisors that grow throughout life, the teeth of shrews wear down throughout life, a problem made more extreme because they lose their milk teeth before birth, so have only one set of teeth throughout their lifetimes. Apart from the first pair of incisors, which are long and sharp, and the chewing molars at the back of the mouth, the teeth of shrews are small and peg-like, and may be reduced in number. The dental formula of shrews is:

3.1.1-3.3

 

1-2.0-1.1.3

 

Shrews are fiercely territorial, driving off rivals, and only coming together to mate. Many species dig burrows for caching food and hiding from predators, although this is not universal.

 

Female shrews can have up to 10 litters a year; in the tropics, they breed all year round; in temperate zones, they only stop breeding in the winter. Shrews have gestation periods of 17–32 days. The female often becomes pregnant within a day or so of giving birth, and lactates during her pregnancy, weaning one litter as the next is born.] Shrews live 12 to 30 months.

 

Shrews are unusual among mammals in a number of respects. Unlike most mammals, some species of shrews are venomous. Shrew venom is not conducted into the wound by fangs, but by grooves in the teeth. The venom contains various compounds, and the contents of the venom glands of the American short-tailed shrew are sufficient to kill 200 mice by intravenous injection. One chemical extracted from shrew venom may be potentially useful in the treatment of high blood pressure, while another compound may be useful in the treatment of some neuromuscular diseases and migraines.[8] The saliva of the northern short-tailed shrew (Blarina brevicauda) contains soricidin, a peptide which has been studied for use in treating ovarian cancer.[9] Also, along with the bats and toothed whales, some species of shrews use echolocation. Unlike most other mammals, shrews lack zygomatic bones (also called the jugals), so have incomplete zygomatic arches.

 

Echolocation

The northern short-tailed shrew is known to echolocate.

The only terrestrial mammals known to echolocate are two genera (Sorex and Blarina) of shrews, the tenrecs of Madagascar, and the solenodons.[citation needed] These include the Eurasian or common shrew (Sorex araneus) and the American vagrant shrew (Sorex vagrans) and northern short-tailed shrew (Blarina brevicauda). These shrews emit series of ultrasonic squeaks. The nature of shrew sounds, unlike those of bats, are low-amplitude, broadband, multiharmonic, and frequency modulated. They contain no "echolocation clicks" with reverberations and would seem to be used for simple, close-range spatial orientation. In contrast to bats, shrews use echolocation only to investigate their habitats rather than additionally to pinpoint food.

Except for large and thus strongly reflecting objects, such as a big stone or tree trunk, they probably are not able to disentangle echo scenes, but rather derive information on habitat type from the overall call reverberations. This might be comparable to human hearing whether one calls into a beech forest or into a reverberant wine cellar.

   

Hayley Ebersole

Yoga Master Extraordinaire

Holistic Health Expert

 

i had posted this previously not too long ago on my stream...

but hell it is my stream and i am reposting it....=)

yes.... she rocks!

 

anyone looking for a great nurturing and very knowledgeable yoga instructor...

check out Yoga Tree studio on Stanyan here in San Francisco!

The Central American Coral Snake or in Spanish Serpiente-coralillo centroamericana (Micrurus nigrocinctus) is a beautiful but deadly creature. The venom of the Central American Coral Snake contains a neurotoxin that can, if it bites you, cause severe neuromuscular dysfunction. Or as I was told by one of the locals when I asked what it was, he responded by telling me it was a “One-way ticket to God”. This snake was not aggressive but deserved the greatest of respect. I would like to thank James Adams (owner of the Pico Bonito Lodge and an experienced herpetologist) for manipulating this beautiful snake so I could photograph it. Pico Bonito Lodge, Honduras.

Pappas Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, PLLC is a new practice in Astoria specializing in the non-surgical treatment of neck, back and extremity pain due to auto/work related trauma and sports injuries, as well as post-operative therapeutic management.

 

Pappas Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, PLLC

31-35 31st Street

Astoria, NY 11106

 

painandinjury.com/mike-pappas.html

 

Call: 800-949-6100 to set-up an appointment

One of my favorite things about being a photographer is getting the chance to be part of people's special occasions and important events, as well as being able to give back to the community. This year I had the honor of being an event photographer for the 2019 ALS Walk. ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, is a neuromuscular disorder with no known cure. These events help to raise awareness and funding for future research, and I am proud to be a part of that cause.