Java citronella
Cymbopogon winterianus
Family: Poaceae
What it is like
A grass. It keeps growing from year to year. It has a shallow rooted rhizome. The culms form tufts. It grows 2 m or more tall. The leaves are 80 cm long by 1-2 cm wide.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It grows on the edges of forests and in grasslands up to 500 m above sea level. In Sichuan and Yunnan.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Asia, Central America, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Nicaragua, SE Asia, South America, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Trinidad-Tobago
How it is used for food
The leaves are used for tea, soups and curries.
Edible parts
Leaves - flavouring, spice
How it is grown
Plants can be grown by division of the clump or from rhizomes.
Its other names
Local names
Java lemon grass, Sereh wangi, Takraihom