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Cymbopogon bombycinus
Also called Silky Oil Grass
Citronella grass (Cymbopogon bombycinus, also called silky oil grass) is a tufted perennial grass from Australia that gives off a strong citrus scent when crushed. It is grown for its aroma and handled like other warm-climate ornamental grasses, needing full sun and good drainage.
Cymbopogon bombycinus, or citronella grass (also called silky oil grass) is a species of perennial grass in the family Poaceae that is native to Australia.
Cymbopogon bombycinus is found mostly in southwestern areas of Australia, in tropical and subtropical regions of Queensland, New South Wales, the Northern Territory, and Western Australia. The species occurs on sandy and stony soils along stream banks or on alluvial flats, and occasionally in eucalyptus woodlands.
Aboriginal peoples of Australia burn and rub the plant on the body for colds and pain, and soak the plant in water and use the liquid to treat sore eyes. The plant is also eaten in the summer despite its strong aromatic scent, but the plants becomes harsh as it ages and is seldom eaten old.
Lemon grass · Rosha grass · Citronella grass · Cymbopogon grass · Lemon grass
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Cymbopogon bombycinus by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.
The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.
Life form, climate and native range: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 3.0), reformatted; see Plants of the World Online.
