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GENERAL
Origin
:
sub-tropical,
tropical
Humidity
:
semi-arid, semi-
humid, very
humid
Propagation :
division, sowing
and pricking out
Maintenance :
moderate
CONDITIONS
Dessication :
vulnerable
Stagnant water :
vulnerable
Irrigation
:
medium
Salinity/ppm :
low (1000 ppm)
Hardiness
:
0°C
SHAPE
Type
:
grasses
Height
:
0.6 m-1.8 m
Spread
:
0.8 m-1.3 m
Foliage
:
evergreen
FLOWER
Colour
:
light brown
Size
:
15 cm
Period
:
July - August
Smell
:
scented, aroma,
strong, leaf,
fruity, sharp
FRUIT
Type of fruit :
caryopsis
Lemon grass is a perennial, native to India, which has become very popular as an aromatic herb
in cooking, and in the production of perfume. This lemon-scented grass is also versatile in the
garden and is now seen often in Arriyadh, where it has been planted as an ornamental. It grows
in dense clumps up to 1.8 metres in height and about 1 metre in width. The strap-like leaves are
bright bluish-green, and release a citrus aroma when crushed; they have gracefully drooping
tips, making them interesting in garden borders. Typically without flowers, flowering produces
inflorescences that have a nodding appearance in the wind. An attractive groundcover when
planted in gravel mulch or next to a pathway, plants release their fragrance when brushed against
by passers-by; they also grow well in containers. Lemon grass is not frost-tolerant, but will come
back when cut to the ground. It is said to keep away mosquitoes. C. citratus needs full sun to light
shade with a moist, well-drained soil. Plants are drought-tolerant, but suffer without watering. As
fairly aggressive growers, they need to be divided, which is the usual method of propagation in
spring; alternatively, they can be seeded. The roots are deep and strong, making plants suitable
for erosion control and slope stabilisation. Cymbopogon schoenanthus, or Incense Grass, is a
native Najd desert species, which also contains aromatic oil. Growing in dry, stony places, it can
appear dead during the summer; after winter rain, it comes back to life and waves its flowers in
the breeze.
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Cymbopogon citratus,
Poaceae
Lemon Grass