Finland’s most popular summer flower, the geranium, is originally from South Africa. Some species in the Pelargonium genus can also be found in Australia and New Zealand.  During the time of the dinosaurs, Africa and Australia were still connected. Geraniums and other flora which can be found on both continents serve as reminders of that time.

The plant in front of you is a rose geranium (Pelargonium capitatum). Along with some other varieties of geranium, the rose geranium is used to distill geranium oil which is an ingredient in aromatherapy and perfume production. The oil has also been found to possess antibacterial effects, and has been used in folk medicine for centuries.