Veltiver Chrysopogon zizanioides
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Vetiveria zizanioides
- Phonetic Spelling
- kris-soh-POH-gon ziz-an-ee-OY-deez
- Description
-
Veltiver is a warm season grass with light green, narrow leaves. It is stifly erect with good fall color. V. 'Sunshine' is usually what is sold in the states and it is a sterile cultivar. It can be grown as an annual in a container in cooler climates. This is an edible plant and the oil obtain from the roots is used as a flavoring in sherbets, syrup sweets, fruit drinks and can asparagus. These oils may be used in specific medical compounds.
It is used world-wide 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 an ability to remove from soil and water large quantities of excess nitrates, phosphates and farm chemicals.
- 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):
- Vetiver roots contain fragrant essential oil
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- India, China to Malaysia
- Fire Risk Rating:
- low flammability
- 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
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Texture:
- Coarse
-
-
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
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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-
Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Caryopsis
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Description:
- 6 inch long panicles of brownish-purple flowers
-
-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- 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
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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
