Lemon grass

Where does Lemon grass grow?

Found in: Africa, Angola, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Cambodia, Central Africa, Central America, Chile, China, Congo DR, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cuba, East Africa, East Timor, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Fiji, FSM, Gabon, Grenada, Guatemala, Guiana, Guianas, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, Honduras, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kosrae, Laos, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Marquesas, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, New Caledonia, Nicaragua, Niger, North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, Palau, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Peru, Philippines, Pohnpei, Rotuma, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Sri Lanka, St. Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, Suriname, Taiwan, Tanzania, Tasmania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, United States, Vanuatu, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Notes: Lemon grass oil is used in perfumes and medicines. There are 56 Cymbopogon species. It has 2.3 mg per 100 g dry weight and 1.12 mg fresh weight of alpha-tocopherol (Vitamin E).

Status: It is sold in local markets.

Growing Lemon grass

Cultivation: It is grown from portions of the clump. A spacing of about 1 m between clumps is needed. Plants can be easily grown by putting the stem end of a shoot in water until roots form then planting out. It can also be grown by seeds. Being very small they are mixed with ash or sand. They can be sown directly. They can also be put in a nursery and transplanted.

Edible Uses: It is mostly used as a flavouring in lemon grass tea and stews. The leaves can be dried and stored for use in tea. The very young fleshy white bases of the shoots are used in Asian cooking. The outer layers are peeled off.

Production: It can be cut 4-8 months after planting and then every 3-4 months. Harvesting can continue to 3-4 years.

Nutrition Info

Lemon grass Photos

References

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