Khus Khus Chrysopogon zizanioides
Previously known as:
- Vetiveria zizanioides
- Phonetic Spelling
- kris-soh-POH-gon ziz-an-ee-OY-deez
- Description
-
Veltiver is a warm season bunch grass in the Poaceae family native to India.
This grass will grow 4 to 8 feet tall and 4 feet wide. It will grow in acidic to alkaline clay or sandy loams with good drainage in full sun to partial shade. It is salt and drought-tolerant. The sterile cultivar V. 'Sunshine' is what is sold in the States. Propagation is by division.
It is used worldwide for soil and water conservation and many other environmental protection applications. This is due to its strong and deep root system, a high tolerance to most heavy metals and the ability to remove from soil and water large quantities of excess nitrates, phosphates and farm chemicals. It is also used as a food and medicinally.
Veltiver is a large grass that could be used in the landscape in a drought-tolerant garden or in problem areas to prevent erosion.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems
- See this plant in the following landscape :
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Sunshine'
Sterile cultivar
- 'Sunshine'
- 'Sunshine'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Sunshine'
Sterile cultivar
- 'Sunshine'
- 'Sunshine'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Chrysopogon
- Species:
- zizanioides
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- It has been used to produce perfumes, creams and soaps. It is used for its antiseptic properties to treat acne and sores.It is It is also used in aromatherapy
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- India
- Fire Risk Rating:
- low flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- Creats critical protective cover for small fauna, attracts beneficial insects (such as parasitic wasps), and repels pests.
- Edibility:
- It is used as a flavoring agent, usually as khus syrup
- Dimensions:
- Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
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-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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-
Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Caryopsis
- Fruit Description:
- Produces a small, dry, one-seeded grain
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-
Flowers:
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Description:
- 6 inch long panicles of brownish-purple flowers
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Purple/Lavender
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Long narrow stiff green leaves up to 10 feet long.
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-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Stiff erect stems can grow up to 8 feet tall
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Riparian
- Slope/Bank
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Specimen
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Erosion
- Fire
- Insect Pests
- Pollution
- Salt
