Cymbopogon citratus (lemon grass)

Japanese name: レモングラス
Scientific name: Cymbopogon citratus

[Overview]
A perennial 1.5–2 m tall.
Many leaves emerge from ground level; they are linear to lanceolate, 90 cm long and 1.2–2 cm wide.
The leaves have a conspicuous central vein and rough margins.
Inflorescences enclosed in boat-shaped bract sheaths are further arranged in a panicle, forming an inflorescence about 60 cm long.
Each inflorescence bears 2 racemes; in each raceme, sessile and stalked spikelets are arranged in pairs, the sessile spikelet being bisexual and the stalked spikelet male and awnless.

[History]
It is said to be native to southern India and Sri Lanka, but only cultivated forms are known, and its place of origin is unclear.
It is said to have arrived in Japan in the early Taisho era.

[Uses]
When the leaves are rubbed they give off a lemon-like fragrance; they are used to add aroma in Thai cooking and similar dishes, and are also made into herbal tea.
In addition, the essential oil is used, as the plant is grown for fragrance.
In India it is used medicinally in the traditional medicine Ayurveda.

[Cultivation]
Propagate by division.
It is not cold-hardy and cannot overwinter outdoors north of Kanto.
When temperatures begin to fall, cut it back and overwinter it protected from the cold with a straw mulch or similar.
Plant it in a sunny, well-ventilated place.
It is not particular about soil, but prefers it to be constantly moist.
It dislikes acidic soil.
It becomes a large clump, so secure plenty of space.
For potted plants, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries.
For plants in the garden, rainfall is sufficient except when sunny weather continues and the soil becomes extremely dry.
When overwintering it, also give water, but not so much that it becomes too dry.
Fertilizer is not particularly necessary, but giving liquid fertilizer about twice a month improves growth.
There are no particular pests or diseases.

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