Cymbopogon citratus

Cymbopogon citratus (= Andropogon citratus), commonly known as West Indian Lemongrass, is a grass.

Contents 1 Naming 2 Taxonomy 3 Characteristics 3.1 Growth 3.2 Wood and Bark 3.3 Leaves 3.4 Flowers and Fruit 3.5 Root System 4 Distribution 5 Cultivation 6 Uses 7 Maintenance 8 Varities and Cultivars 9 Poisonousness 10 Pests and Diseases 11 Man and Cymbopogon citratus 11.1 History 11.2 Cymbopogon citratus in art 11.3 Symbolism 11.4 Superstition 12 See also 13 References 13.1 Literature 13.2 Footnotes 14 Non-commercial Links

[edit] Naming

Cymbopogon citratus was already described and the name validly published by Christian Gottfried Daniel Nees von Esenbeck, based on a prior description by Augustin Pyramus de Candolle. It was not until 1906, however, that Otto Stapf reclassified it into todays valid botanical systematics.

[edit] Taxonomy

The West Indian Lemongrass is a species in the genus Cymbopogon (lemon grass) which contains 56 species and belongs to the family of the Poaceae (Grass Family).

[edit] Characteristics

[edit] Growth

The plants grow to a height of approximately 2 meters.

[edit] Wood and Bark

[edit] Leaves

Cymbopogon citratus is an evergreen plant with simple leaves. The leaves are arranged opposite one another. They are linear with entire margins.

[edit] Flowers and Fruit

The flowers are arranged in panicles.

The fruits are caryopses.

[edit] Root System

[edit] Distribution

The origin of Cymbopogon citratus is unsettled.

[edit] Cultivation

The West Indian Lemongrass prefers a sunny site and can withstand temperatures down to -6,6º C. It grows best in sandy, loamy soil that is moist.

[edit] Uses

Cymbopogon citratus is used medicinally.

[edit] Maintenance

[edit] Varities and Cultivars

[edit] Poisonousness

 Please read the health issues note! 

[edit] Pests and Diseases

[edit] Man and Cymbopogon citratus

[edit] History

[edit] Cymbopogon citratus in art

[edit] Symbolism

[edit] Superstition

[edit] See also

[edit] References

[edit] Literature

• Walter Erhardt, Erich Götz, Nils Bödeker, Siegmund Seybold: Der große Zander. Eugen Ulmer KG, Stuttgart 2008, ISBN 978-3-8001-5406-7. (Ger.)
• Christoper Brickell (Editor-in-chief): RHS A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. Third edition. Dorling Kindersley, London 2003, ISBN 0-7513-3738-2.
• efloras.org

[edit] Footnotes

[edit] Non-commercial Links

More pictures of Cymbopogon citratus in the

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• United States Department of Agriculturees:Cymbopogon citratusfr:Cymbopogon citratus