Cymbopogon citratus
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Cymbopogon citratus

lemon grass
oil grass
fever grass

  family gramineae 
  genus cymbopogon 

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Identification
Genus  Cymbopogon Species  citratus Variety  Cultivar  Common names  lemon grass   oil grass   fever grass Family  GRAMINEAE Specimen number  S11228 Data source  HtZn p103;MedPl p196;Frgnt p371
 
Life cycle
Life form  Terrestrial Life cycle  Various Life span    Annual cycle  Evergreen Stature  Grass Growth form  Not applicable Growth habit  Various Overall height  2' - 6' Overall spread  3'
 
Climate
Sunshine  Full sun to light shade Water  Well drained Optimal soil texture  Sandy Acceptable soil pH  Soil pH 06-07 USDA hardiness  USDA zones 10a-11 AHS heat zones  Heat zones 12-01 Sunset climate zones  Not classified
 
Garden
Suitable for gardens  yes Nursery  Unknown Compost  no Size at acquisition  Unknown Garden location  Unknown Garden notes  The leaves of Cymbopogon citratus have a mildly sweet aroma. This somewhat tender plant can only survive cold winter nights that dip to 30� Fahrenheit. Lemon grass (also known as oil grass and fever grass) needs summer days with high heat. The best soil for this plant has a texture that is sandy. Full sun to light shade is best for growing this species. It likes well drained soils. The extracted oil of this plant is called lemon grass oil, verbena oil, or Indian melissa oil.
 
Special qualities
Tolerates drought  no Tolerates high humidity  no Tolerates seaside conditions  no Insect resistant  no Disease resistant  no Deer resistant  no Best uses    Symbiosis  Attracts butterflies  no Attracts hummingbirds  no Autumn foliage  no Colorful berries  no Desirable qualities    Other interest    Other interest color  Other interest period   
 
Adverse factors
Common pests  Poisonous parts  Poisonous indications  Internal poison  no Dermatologic poison  no Livestock poison  no Mechanical injury  no Hay fever pollen    Hay fever season    Adverse qualities   
 
Herbal medicine
Medicinal properties  digestive tonic   carminative   febrifuge   antifungal Medicinal parts  Leaves   Essential oil Has medicinal uses  yes Do not self-administer  yes Do no use if pregnant  no Legally restricted  no Toxicity precautions  Do not take essential oil internally without professional guidance. Medicinal notes  Cymbopogon citratus has numerous traditional medicinal uses. Some of its many uses are: as a digestive tonic, as a carminative, as a febrifuge and as an antifungal. More uses are listed in the medicinal properties section. Lemon grass (sometimes called oil grass and fever grass) should only be used under professional guidance. The leaves and the essential oil are used in herbal preparations. Do not take essential oil internally without professional guidance.
 
Traditional uses
Parts used  Traditional uses  Contemporary uses  Fragrance  aromatic leaves. Fragrance parts  Leaves Fragrance intensity  Mild Fragrance category  Faintly sweet Dye parts  Dye color 
 
Cultivation
Propagule  Various Pollination method    Planting style    Crop spacing    Row spacing    Cold frame  Planting period    Harvesting period    Frost tolerance    Heat requirement    Fertilizer  Typical Time to harvest 
 
Nutrition
Is edible  no Culinary uses  Nutritional value  Edible parts  Description of edible parts Flavor / texture 
 
Horticulture
Horticulture notes  Cymbopogon citratus is considered to have originated from Jamaica.
 
Herbarium
Tag needs printing  no Collection notes  Cymbopogon citratus is evergreen. Leaves: Lemon grass (locally known in some parts as oil grass and fever grass) has sharp edged grassy leaves.

Page 1448 of 4998

Last reviewed November 01, 2004   

 

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