Cymbopogon martinii

(Roxb.) J. F. Watson

Rosha grass, Geranium grass, Palmarosa

Poaceae Edible: Leaves - oil, Leaves - tea 17 iNaturalist observations

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

Summary

Cymbopogon martinii is a species of grass in the genus Cymbopogon (lemongrasses) native to India and Indochina but widely cultivated in many places for its aromatic oil. It is best known by the common name palmarosa (palm rose) as it smells sweet and rose-like. Other common names include Indian geranium, gingergrass, rosha, and rosha grass.

Description

A grass. It forms in tufts and keeps growing from year to year. It has a woody rootstock. It grows 3 m high. The lower nodes are swollen. The leaf blades are narrow and 50 cm long by 1-3 cm wide. They taper to the tip. The flower panicles are 10-30 cm long and reddish.

Edible Uses

The leaves yield an essential oil via steam distillation used to flavor ice cream, gelatin desserts, chewing gum, and bakery products. The leaves are also used for tea.

Traditional Uses

The leaves yield an essential oil by steam distillation and it is used to flavour ice cream, gelatin desserts, chewing gum and bakery products. The leaves are used for tea.

Medicinal Uses

The essential oil of this plant, which contains the chemical compound geraniol, is valued for its scent and for traditional medicinal and household uses. Palmarosa oil may be an effective insect repellent when applied to stored grain and beans, an antihelmintic against nematodes, and an antifungal and mosquito repellent. Palmarosa oil, which has a scent similar to that of roses, is added to soaps and cosmetics. It is widely used for rose-smelling perfumes and cosmetics. It has been used for aromatherapy. Palmarosa oil is an antifungal that fights against Aspergillus niger (commonly known as black mold), Chaetomium globosum (also known as soil mold), and Penicillium funiculosum, which is a plant pathogen.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows on grassy slopes in Sichuan and Yunnan in China. It can grow in poor soil.

Where It Grows

Africa, Asia, Brazil, China, East Africa, India, Indonesia, Madagascar, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, SE Asia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Zimbabwe,

Cultivation

It can be grown from seed sown directly. The seeds are small so are mixed with ash or sand. They can be grown from seed or from slips put in a nursery and transplanted. A spacing of 15-20 cm is suitable. Leaves are cut when 15-20 cm tall.

Other Information

It is cultivated.

Notes

The variety "Sofia" is a tetraploid plant while "Motia" is a diploid plant.

Synonyms

Andropogon martinii Roxb.Andropogon pachnodes Trin.Andropogon schoenanthus var. genuinus Hack.Andropogon schoenanthus var. martinii (Roxb.) Hook. f.Cymbopogon martinianus Schult.Cymbopogon martinii var. sofia GuptaCymbopogon motia GuptaCymbopogon pachnodes (Trin.) Wats.

Also Known As

Ginger grass, Myet-kyet-thun, Palmarosa, Pamarosa, Rauns, Rohisa, Rosagram, Rusa grass, Sabalin, Thisankah

References (9)

E. T. Atkinson, Gazetteer, North-Western Provinces of India 10:392. 1882
Brown, D., 2002, The Royal Horticultural Society encyclopedia of Herbs and their uses. DK Books. p 187
Flora of Pakistan. www.eFloras.org
Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 174
Kuvar, S. D. & Shinde, R. D., 2019, Wild Edible Plants used by Kokni Tribe of Nasik District, Maharashtra. Journal of Global Biosciences. Volume 8, Number 2, 2019, pp. 5936-5945

Show all 9 references

Rajendra, K.C., 2014. Prominent Non-Wood Forest Products of Te- rai and Siwalik Regions in Nepal. Food and Agriculture Organization, Kathmandu, Nepal. p 85
Seidemann J., 2005, World Spice Plants. Economic Usage, Botany, Taxonomy. Springer. p 130
Tanaka,
Zeven, A. C. & de West, J. M. J., 1982, Dictionary of cultivated plants and their regions of diversity. Wageningen. p 73