Cymbopogon bombycinus
Cymbopogon bombycinus, or citronella grass (also called silky oil grass)[2] is a perennial grass native to Australia.
| Cymbopogon bombycinus | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Poaceae |
| Subfamily: | Panicoideae |
| Genus: | Cymbopogon |
| Species: | C. bombycinus |
| Binomial name | |
| Cymbopogon bombycinus (R. Br.) Domin | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Description
Cymbopogon bombycinus is a tufted perennial bunchgrass, without stolons or rhizomes. The culms, or stems of the grass, range from .5–1.5 m (1 ft 8 in–4 ft 11 in) in height and are smooth, though the nodes may be hairy.
The leaves of the plant are 5–30 cm (2.0–11.8 in) in length and are 1–4 mm (0.039–0.157 in) wide, and smooth on both faces. The crushed leaf gives off a strong citrus-like scent.
The inflorescence of the plant, or the collections of flowers, are composed of 10–30 cm (3.9–11.8 in) long section of spikelets largely concealed by long hairs.[3][4]
Taxonomy
The species name bombycinus is derived from the Greek "bombyx" and "bombykos", meaning "silk" or "silk-garment", referring to the silky hairs of the spikelets. The name is also derived from the Latin "bombyx" and "bycis", meaning "silk" or "silk-worm", referring to the same silky hairs.[1]
Habitat and ecology
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.[5]
Uses
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.[6] 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.[5]
References
- Umberto Quattrocchi (2006). CRC World Dictionary of Grasses: Common Names, Scientific Names, Eponyms, Synonyms, and Etymology. CRC Press. p. 542. ISBN 9781420003222.
- "SILKY OIL GRASS CELLULAR EXTRACT". NativeExtracts.com.au. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
- John Peter Jessop; Gilbert Roelof Maria Dashorst; Fiona M. James (2006). Grasses of South Australia: An Illustrated Guide to the Native and Naturalised Species (illustrated ed.). Wakefield Press. p. 514. ISBN 9781862546943.
- Todd Erickson; Russell Barrett; David Merritt; Kingsley Dixon, eds. (2016). Pilbara Seed Atlas and Field Guide: Plant Restoration in Australia's Arid Northwest. CSIRO Publishing. ISBN 9781486305544.
- Eric Anderson (2016). Plants of Central Queensland: Identification and Uses of Native and Introduced Species. Csiro Publishing. p. 471. ISBN 9781486302260.
- Nicholas D. Evans (1995). A Grammar of Kayardild: With Historical-Comparative Notes on Tangkic (illustrated ed.). Walter de Gruyter. p. 796. ISBN 9783110873733.