Lemon Grass (Cymbopogon citratus)

Family: Poaceae | Edibility: Edible (3/5)

Lemon grass or Cymbopogon citratus is a tropical, evergreen, perennial grass that is aromatic and grows up to 1.5 m tall. It is also known as tanglad or sereh in the Philippines and Indonesia where it is profusely cultivated for its fragrant leaves that are used in cooking and brewing tea. The heart of the young shoots is cooked and eaten as a vegetable.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Leaves, Shoots

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

delicious lemon-like aroma and are used as a flavouring in soups, sauces and curries. — The heart of the young shoots is eaten as a vegetable with rice.; The basal portions of the leafy shoots have a delicious lemon-like aroma and are used as a flavouring in soups, sauces and curries.; Older leaves can be cooked with other foods in order to impart their lemon-like flavour.; They are removed before serving.

Habitat & North American Range

Not known in a wild situation. (Zone 10)