Cymbopogon Nardus (L.) Rendle - National Parks Board

Government officials will NEVER ask you to transfer money or disclose bank log-in details over a phone call. Call the 24/7 ScamShield Helpline at 1799 if you are unsure if something is a scam. Notification Close button Notification Open / Close Toggle button select categories to search All Flora Fauna search for plants and animals Search Back

1. Flora
2. 3
3. 8
4. 3891

Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendle

Family Name:	Poaceae (Gramineae)
Common Name:	Citronella Grass, Ceylon Citronella

Semi Shade

Moderate Water

Drought Tolerant

Grass or Grass-like Plant

Explore more topics

• Name
• Classifications and Characteristics
• Biogeography
• Description and Ethnobotany
• Landscaping Features
• Plant Care and Propagation
• Foliar
• Image Repository
• Others

What's New:

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Name Status (botanical)
Common Names
Comments

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division	Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants)
Plant Growth Form	Grass or Grass-like Plant (Tall Grass (Poaceae))
Lifespan (in Singapore)	Perennial

Mode of Nutrition	Autotrophic
Plant Shape	Grassy
Maximum Height	1.5 m to 2.5 m
Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width	1 m to 1.5 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution	South Sudan to South Africa, India to Vietnam
Native Habitat	Terrestrial
Preferred Climate Zone	Tropical

Local Conservation Status

Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only)

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form	Perennial grass forms clumps up to 2.5 m tall.
Stems	The pseudostem (the base of the leaf blade) is reddish.
Similar	Citronella (scientific name: Cymbopogon nardus) looks like Lemongrass (scientific name: Cymbopogon citratus) but it has a wider leaf blade and the base of the stem (technically known as a pseudostem) is reddish, while Lemongrass has a green one.

Cultivation	It grows best in bright, but filtered light and leaves may be burned by intense sun.
Ethnobotanical Uses	Others: Essential oil extracted from the leaves is used as a mosquito repellent.

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features
Thematic Landscaping	Economic Garden

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference	Semi-Shade
Water Preference	Moderate Water
Plant Growth Rate	Fast

Rootzone Tolerance

Drought Tolerant

Foliar

Mature Foliage Colour(s)	Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s)	Smooth
Foliar Type	Simple / Unifoliate

Foliar Shape(s)
Foliar Venation	Parallel
Foliar Apex - Tip	Acuminate

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID	29582
Species ID	3891
Flora Disclaimer	The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.

Species record last updated on: 05 August 2022.

You may also like

Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf Cymbopogon calcicola C.E.Hubb. Share

• Top