Lemon grass
Cymbopogon nardus

Family: Poaceae

What it is like

A grass. It is a perennial herb. It grows 0.8-1.5 m tall. It forms tufts. The leaves are 30-100 cm long by 1-2 cm wide. The flowering shoot is 30 cm long and branched.

There are 60 Cymbopogon species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows commonly throughout Cambodia. In Brisbane Botanical gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Botswana, Brazil, Cambodia, Central Africa, China, East Africa, Eswatini, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Mozambique, Myanmar, SE Asia, Singapore, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Taiwan, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The leaves are used to flavour food. They are used in soups, curries and in cooking fish. The leaves are also used for tea. It is the source of an essential oil used to flavour food and drinks. The centre of the stems is cooked in curries.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Leaves, leaves - tea, pith, spice

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bundo, Ceylon citronella, Citronella grass, Ganda-hanchi-khaddi, Ganjni, Hingwe, Kaingbyu-mi, Kamachipillu, Kamakher, Kamakshi-pulla, Kamkshi-kasuvu, Khavai, Lucungwa, Majjige hullu, Myet-hmwe, Sabalin-hmwe, Seriwang, Sijega, Singu-myet,Slek krei, Sloek krey, Usadhana

Synonyms

Andropogon confertiflorus Steud.; Andropogon nardus Linn.; Cymbopogon validus (Stapf) Burtt Davy; and others