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Chrysopogon zizanioides

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'
Tags:
#evergreen#full sun tolerant#salt tolerant#fall interest#accent plant#warm-season grass#container plant#perennial#annual
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Sunshine'
    Sterile cultivar
'Sunshine'
Tags:
#evergreen#full sun tolerant#salt tolerant#fall interest#accent plant#warm-season grass#container plant#perennial#annual
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • 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