SINCE 1828

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pelargonium

noun pel·ar·go·ni·um \ ˌpe-lär-ˈgō-nē-əm , -lər- \

Definition of pelargonium

:any of a genus (Pelargonium) of southern African herbs of the geranium family with showy flowers of usually red, pink, or white distinguished by a spurred calyx and irregular corolla — called also geranium, storksbill; compare rose geranium

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Recent Examples of pelargonium from the Web

But this is only the beginning of the story as there are thousands of species found there, including bulbs, pelargoniums, various succulents and Phylica pubescens.

— brian kemble, The Mercury News, "Feathery plant has strange family members," 16 Mar. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pelargonium.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of pelargonium

New Latin, from Greek pelargos stork (akin to Greek pelios livid, polios gray) + New Latin -nium (as in Geranium) — more at fallow

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First Known Use: 1813

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