Cymbopogon (Lemongrasses) is a genus of about 55 species of grasses, native to warm temperate and tropical regions of the Old World and Australia. They are belonging to Poaceae Family.

The genus name Cymbopogon is derived from Greek kymbe: boat and pogon: beard (it refers to the boat-shaped spathes and the many-eared inflorescences which reminding a beard).

Two species of the Cymbopogon genus are well known as Lemon Grass and used widely; Cymbopogon citratus: West-Indian Lemon Grass is native to Southeast Asia; Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines. Cymbopogon flexuosus: East-Indian Lemon Grass also called Malabar grass is a tall perennial grass, native to India, Sri Lanka, Burma, Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand. While both can be used interchangeably, Cymbopogon citratus is more suited for cooking.

Cymbopogon citratus is a beautiful, tall, arching, ornamental grass with dual purpose: it has nice visual effect of ornamental grass in the landscape, also there are many uses of culinary and medicinal side as a herb.

West Indian Lemon Grass grows in dense clumps that can grow up to 180-200 cm in height and about 120 cm in width. The evergreen, bluish-green, straplike leaves have gracefully drooping tips. They are 90 cm long and 1,5-2 cm wide. The leaves are release a citrus aroma when crushed. It is the leaves that are used as flavoring and in medicine. In warm places without or with light freeze, Lemon Grass  will act as a perennial. They withstand only light freezes. Some of the Cymbopogon citratus plants are cultivars and do not typically produce flowers.

An essential oil, obtained from Lemon Grass’es freshly cut leaves, called Citronella oil; is highly aromatic with a lemon-like aroma and flavour. The principal chemical constituents of citronella, geraniol and citronellol, are antiseptics, hence their use in household disinfectants and soaps.This inflorescences oil is produced by steam distillation of the freshly cut leaves, or it can be extracted using alcohol. An in­fu­sion made from this plant was used as an in­ex­pen­sive rem­edy for the treat­ment of oral thrush in AIDS patients.

When harvesting Cymbopogon citratus, firm stalks with leaves that appear green and fresh should be selected. Prepare Lemon Grass by peeling off and discarding one or two layers of the woody exterior leaves. These leaf blades are tough and therefore better for teas, potpourri and flavoring, but not so good for outright eating. Instead, use the tender white inner hearts. The grass blade can be sliced very fine and added to soups for a lemony twist. Also, the bulb can be bruised and minced for use in a variety of recipes.

In traditional  Indian medicine; the leaves of the plant are used as stimulant, and anticatarrhal, while the essential oil is used as  antidepressant, analgesic, antipyretic, antibacterial and antifungal agent.

Lemongrass has a subtle citrus flavor and can be dried and powdered, or used fresh. It is often used by the food industry as flavouring in foods such as ice creams, baked goods, oils, candies, chewing gum and in soaps.  It is widely used as an herb in Asian cuisine. It is used as a tea in African countries. Also; this oil is used in perfumes, detergent and as an insect repellent (especially mosquitos); in insect sprays and candles, and also in aromatherapy. The dried leaves are often used as an aromatic herb tea. The oil has a promising anticancer activity and causes loss in tumor cell viability by activating the apoptotic process.

Use in Landscape: There is not much use in landscapes. But it is an essential element for a herb garden. Can be cultivated at the gardens of restorants and hotels to be used fresh.