# Lemongrass (*Cymbopogon Spreng.*)

Lemongrass is a fragrant plant often used in cooking and teas. It has long, slender leaves and a citrusy scent that can freshen the air around it.

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Tropical regions
- **Also known as:** Barbed Wire Grass, Citronella Grass

![Lemongrass](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/YosriNov04Pokok_Serai.JPG&width=800)

Photo: CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:YosriNov04Pokok_Serai.JPG)

## Appearance

The Lemongrass is a tall, clumping grass with long, strap-like leaves that are bright green, often with a reddish base. Its arching blades are noticeably narrower and more upright than many common garden grasses, forming a dense, fountain-like mound.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Family:** Poaceae
- **Genus:** Cymbopogon

## Interesting facts

- Ancient cultures often brewed lemongrass tea, believing it had special calming powers to soothe the mind!
- Its citrusy aroma makes it a secret ingredient in many perfumes and soaps, adding a fresh, zesty scent!
- Lemongrass is a grass, but it smells exactly like lemons, even though it’s not related to citrus fruit!
- This grassy plant gives a delicious lemon-ginger flavor to foods, making it super popular in Thai cuisine!

## Special abilities

- **Scent Shield:** Lemongrass can release a natural citronella scent from its leaves that helps it deter hungry insects from nibbling on its blades.
- **Clump Creator:** Lemongrass has tough underground stems called rhizomes which allow it to spread and form dense, resilient clumps, making it hard to get rid of.
- **Thirsty Roots:** Lemongrass can withstand periods of drought once established, thanks to its deep root system that efficiently seeks out water.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 90-180 cm
- **Spread:** 60-90 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Late summer to fall
- **Edible:** Yes
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Wind

## Ecological connections

- **Eaten by:** Chinese rice grasshopper (*Oxya chinensis*) — a grasshopper that feeds on various grasses
- **Eaten by:** Water buffalo (*Bubalus bubalis*) — a grazing animal common in native regions
- **Symbiotic with:** nitrogen-fixing bacteria (*Azotobacter chroococcum*) — soil bacteria that helps enrich its growing environment

## Traits

- [Aromatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aromatic): Aromatic plants produce and emit fragrant volatile organic compounds, often for defense or to attract pollinators.
- [Grass-Like](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grass-like): Grass-like plants are herbaceous plants that visually resemble true grasses, typically having long, narrow leaves.
- [Summer Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/summer-blooming): Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.
- [Medicinal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/medicinal): Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.
- [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.

## Collections

- [Herbs](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/herbs)
- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Enjoy the smell of lemongrass, but don't eat it without an adult's help as it can be tough to chew.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Lemongrass?

Compare seed heads, stem shape, how leaves attach, and the joint where leaf meets stem. A patch of mown lawn rarely shows enough for an exact ID. Grass Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Lemongrass?

90-180 cm

### How wide does Lemongrass spread?

60-90 cm

### When does Lemongrass bloom?

Late summer to fall

### Is Lemongrass edible?

Yes

### Is Lemongrass toxic?

None

### What is Lemongrass's lifecycle?

Perennial

### How is Lemongrass pollinated?

Wind

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Lemongrass: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lemongrass)