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Cymbopogon citratus

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
sim-boh-POH-gon sih-TRAY-tus
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Strongly scented lemon leaves used in India and Southern Asian cuisine; overwinter as a container plant but do not let it dry out.  This plant tolerates a range of soil types. The plant oils are used for perfumes and herbal medicines.

VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.

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Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#culinary#ornamental grass#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#wilson mg plant sale 2021#landscape plant sleuths course
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#culinary#ornamental grass#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#wilson mg plant sale 2021#landscape plant sleuths course
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Cymbopogon
    Species:
    citratus
    Family:
    Poaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Flavoring in cuisine
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    India and Sri Lanka
    Edibility:
    Leaves for flavoring
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herb
    Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Caryopsis
  • Flowers:
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
    Flower Description:
    This plant does not flower.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Feel:
    Prickly
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Fragrant
    Hairs Present:
    No
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Lawn
    Landscape Theme:
    Edible Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Problems:
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Dogs, cats: Stomach upset; Horses: difficulty breathing, weakness, death (rare)
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Essential oils, cyanogenic glycosides
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No