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Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf
| Family Name: | Poaceae (Gramineae) |
| Synonyms: | Andropogon citriodorum, Acroceras citratus |
| Common Name: | Serai, West Indian Lemon Grass, Oil Grass, Fever Grass, Serai Makan, Sereh Makan, Lemongrass, 柠檬草, 柠檬香茅, 香茅草 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Grass or Grass-like Plant (Tall Grass (Poaceae)) |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Grassy |
| Maximum Height | 0.6 m to 1.2 m |
| Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width | 0.6 m to 0.9 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Unknown. |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Grassland / Savannah/ Scrubland, Disturbed Area / Open Ground) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Of Uncertain Origin |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Clump-forming grass up to 1.2 m tall or 2m tall when in flower. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaf blades are light green and strap-shaped (up to 0.9 m long, 2.5 cm wide). Crushed leaves exude a lemony scent. |
| Stems | A pseudostem formed from tightly-overlapping leaf sheaths on non-flowering shoots is 12-25 cm long and 1-2 cm across, bulbous and thickening towards base of plant. It is fragrant when crushed and yellowish-brown or reddish. |
| Flowers | Numerous brownish florets held on compound drooping panicles up to 0.5 m across, rarely produced in cultivation. |
| Fruit | Spikelets with hairy awns, rarely observed. |
| Habitat | Native to grasslands of tropical Asia, now found only in cultivation. |
| Cultivation | Fast grower. Prefers moist, well-drained loamy soils, but will tolerate most other soil types. If grown in containers, plant needs to be divided and separated regularly. Propagate by division, rhizomes and pseduostems (which can be rooted in water before planting out). |
| Etymology | Genus epithet 'Cymbopogon' means 'boat' (kymbe) and 'beard' (pogon) in Greek, referring to the boat-shaped flower spathes and hairy fruit spikelets typical of this genus. Species epithet 'citratus' means resembling Citrus, a reference to the lemony scent produced by parts of the plant. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Leaves Food (Herb or Spice): The crushed stalk produces a lemony flavor which is used in a variety of Southeast Asian dishes, such as curries, seafood, poultry dishes, and soups like Tom Yam Soup. Lemongrass is especially popular in Thailand, Vietnam, Laotia and Cambodia. Medicinal: Leaves can be boiled to make a refreshing tea to relieve stomach cramps, flatulence, colic and other digestive problems. Leaf paste is applied as a poultice on joints to treat rheumatism and on the forehead to relieve headaches and fever. Roots are consumed to induce sweating and improve urine flow. Leaves can be placed in bathwater to treat cuts and wounds, reduce swelling, improve blood circulation and remove body odour. Others: Essential oils extracted from the leaf stalk is used in perfumes, cosmetics, skin care and aromatherapy products. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | Often planted in home and economic gardens for culinary purposes. Can also be used as ornamental grass along sunny borders and walkways for its graceful arching leaves. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage, Fragrant (Foliage) |
| Landscape Uses | Container Planting, General, Flowerbed / Border |
| Thematic Landscaping | Fragrant / Aromatherapy Garden, Economic Garden, Naturalistic Garden |
| Usage Hazard - Cons Remarks | Leaf edges may be sharp. |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Well-Drained Soils, Easy to Grow, Shallow Media |
| Maintenance Requirements | Moderate |
| Propagation Method | Storage Organ, Division, Stem Cutting |
| Propagation Method Remarks | Fresh stalks available in local markets can be rooted in water. |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green - Light Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Thin |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Green |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Basal |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Sessile |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Linear) |
| Foliar Venation | Parallel |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acuminate |
| Typical Foliar Area | Mesophyll ( 45cm2 - 182.25 cm2 ) |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Monocot) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Stem Type & Modification | Acaulescent |
|---|---|
| Root Type | Underground (Fibrous Root) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Brown |
|---|---|
| Inflorescence Type | Panicle |
| Flowering Period | Rarely |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Brown |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Indehiscent Dry Fruit , Caryopsis / Grain |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 623 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 1918 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
