Lemongrass (Cymbopogon) Plant

Botanical Name: Cymbopogon

Also Known as:

• Barbed Wire Grass
• Silky Heads
• Cochin Grass
• Malabar Grass
• Oily Heads
• Fever Grass

Lemongrass is a perennial grass herb.

It grows in dense clumps and has several stiff stems and slender blade-like leaves which droop towards the tips. The leaves are blue-green in color, turning red in the Fall and emit a strong lemon fragrance when damaged.

This herb is used in many cuisines for its edible, aromatic leaves and stalks. Both have a strong citrus scent and a flavor reminiscent of lemon.

Grown for its fragrant leaves and stalks which are used as a flavoring in soups and curries, but as they can be very fibrous, they are usually removed after cooking.

While young stalks consist mainly of fibrous leaves, as they grow larger, the inside of the stalk develops a soft center that can be chopped and added to cooking without needing to be removed before eating.

The dried leaves can also be brewed into a tea, either alone or as a flavoring in other teas, imparting a flavor reminiscent of lemon juice but with a mild sweetness without significant sourness or tartness.

The leaves of Cymbopogon have been used in traditional medicine and are often found in herbal supplements and teas.

Lemongrass upright arching shape and attractive green leaves will add interest and texture to your garden.