Abstract

Rose-scented geranium, the cultivar Rose, is a cross between Pelargonium capitatum and Pelargoniumradens. They are all belonging to the Geraniaceae family. The essential oil from this plant is commercially viable. The Rose-scented geranium was planted in three sites within the Amathole region of the Eastern Cape. These sites were Auckland, Lushington and Cathcartvale. The essential oil from this plant was obtained by steam distillation in all the sites on seasonal basis. A high amount of essential oil was obtained during the autumn season for Auckland and Lushington sites and in spring for the Cathcartvale site. The gas chromatography mass-spectroscopy (GC-MS) reveals that the chemical composition differed with harvesting time. The main characteristic volatile constituents of essential oil, citronellol, geraniol, linalool, cyclohexanone, trans-rose-oxide and β-caryophyllene was found in the seasons.

Key words: Rose-scented geranium, essential oil, composition, Eastern Cape, South Africa.