Lemon grass
Cymbopogon citratus

Family: Poaceae

What it is like

A coarse clumpy grass about 1 m high. It forms dense tufts and clumps. The stems are hollow and cane like. The leaves have a rough edge and are about 1 m long by 1 cm wide. They curve over. They are pale blue-green. It very rarely produces flowers. When flowers are produced they are in a loose branched panicle. These are 5 cm long. It has a lemon smell when crushed.

Lemon grass oil is used in perfumes and medicines. There are 56 Cymbopogon species. It has 2.3 mg per 100 g dry weight and 1.12 mg fresh weight of alpha-tocopherol (Vitamin E).

Where it is found

It is a tropical and subtropical plant. It occurs in coastal areas and up to at least 1400 m altitude. It is a good plant for borders and erosion control. They are frost tender. It needs a temperature above 10°C to grow. It needs good drainage. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 2,700 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 9-11. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Central America, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo DR, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, East Africa, East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Fiji, FSM, Gabon, Grenada, Guatemala, French Guiana, Guianas, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, Honduras, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kosrae, Laos, Liberia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Marquesas, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, New Caledonia, Nicaragua, Niger, North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Pohnpei, Puerto Rico, Reunion, Rotuma, Rwanda, Sahel, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Sri Lanka, St. Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, Suriname, Taiwan, Tanzania, Tasmania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad-Tobago,Tuvalu, Uganda, USA, Vanuatu, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

It is mostly used as a flavouring in lemon grass tea and stews. The leaves can be dried and stored for use in tea. The very young fleshy white bases of the shoots are used in Asian cooking. The outer layers are peeled off.

It is sold in local markets. It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Leaves, herb, spice, lower stem, leaves - tea

How it is grown

It is grown from portions of the clump. A spacing of about 1 m between clumps is needed. Plants can be easily grown by putting the stem end of a shoot in water until roots form then planting out. It can also be grown by seeds. Being very small they are mixed with ash or sand. They can be sown directly. They can also be put in a nursery and transplanted.

It can be cut 4-8 months after planting and then every 3-4 months. Harvesting can continue to 3-4 years.

Its other names

Local names

Agin ghas, Belgata, Bhustrina, Caboi, limon, Cana santa, Canita de Cedron, Capim-limao, Chirichri, Du'ut-morin, Enyait, Erva-cidreira, Fiji char, Gandhabena, Gandhatrina, Ge lao dang, Ghanda, Herva chaha, Herva chela, Heung masu tso, Hierba luisa, Hirua cha, Kaasinjee, Kagatighaans, Kagati ghas, Khawi, Lili cha, Limoncillo, Limonska trava, Liwisa, Mah keng, Majjigehullu, Mao xiang cao, Moegalo, Moejara, Nimmagaddi, Olecha, Pirheghaans, Po pi, Reh pwo mwahu, Remon gurasu, Remon-sou, Sabalin, Sa chanh, Saineroil, Sa kai, Sera, Serai, Sere, Sereh betul, Sereh makan, Sereh sayur, Sereh, Shahai, Shakai, Shishovi, Sinda, Sinda dimputu, Sinde, Slek krei sabu, Sok aphi, Sontol, Ta krai, Takrai, Tanglad, Tanlag, Thej sar, Vasanappillu, Vasanappulla, Veromanitra, West Indian lemongrass, Xa, Xiang mao coa, Yerba de limon, Zabalin, Zacate limon

Synonyms

Andropogon ceriferus Hackel; Andropogon citratus DC.; Andropogon nardus (L.) Rendle var. ceriferus Hackel; Andropogon esculentum Kurz.;