LEMON GRASS – CYMBOPOGON CITRATUS PLANT -Medicinal Plants 1 Plants

Cymbopogon citratus, commonly known as West Indian lemon grass or simply lemon grass, is a tropical plant native to Maritime Southeast Asia and introduced to many tropical regions. Cymbopogon citratus is often sold in stem form

Description: A tall perennial grass with dense fascicles of leaves arising from a short, oblique annulate rhizome. Leaves with an aromatic(lemony)odour when crushed; blades linear, long-attenuated towards the base and tapering upwards to a long point, upto 90 cm long and 1.6-1.8 cm wide, very firm, glaucous green; midrib whitish on upper side, primary lateral nerves 4-6 on each side, raised above; ligules very short, rounded or truncate; sheaths 10-30 cm long, glabrous and smooth, cinnamon coloured or russet on the inside, those of the culms shorter than internodes, finely pubescent or velvety at the nodes. Flowers reddish, borne in loose panicles 30-60 cm long, sometimes larger, internodes c. 5-20 cm, decreasing in length from base to apex.