Cymbopogon flexuosus – East Indian Lemon Scented Grass seeds x200

Native to India, Sri Lanka, Burma and Thailand, when the foliage is crushed it emits a strong lemon or citron fragrance and produces an essential oil by steam distillation of freshly cut leaves.

An aromatic, tufted perennial or clumping grass growing to 1 metre on rocky red loam, sand, ironstone, granite, limestone, sandstone and along creeks. It is reported adaptable to soils, drought and frost resistant but needs a full sun position. While accepting drought, it performs much better with regular watering and can be sheared off to produce fresh foliage each year. It is becoming very popular as a landscape plant.

The leaves are used in cooking to impart a delicate citron flavour to teas, soups and curries. They are also used as a pesticide, fungicide and preservative. Wikipedia reports that it completely inhibits Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aurea colony growth (Golden Staph).

This plant grows readily from seed.

All my seed is posted in bubble wrap protection.