Narrow Leaved Turpentine Grass
Name
Narrow-leaved turpentine grass or bitter turpentine grass (Cymbopogon plurinodis)
Description
The narrow-leaved turpentine grass is perennial, its blades being 2 to 5 mm wide. The inflorescence is a false panicle consisting of up to eight pair spikes. This grass is only palatable when young.
Uses
This is a poor grazing grass as it contains an essential oil. This oil has about 17 ingredients, including piperitol and delta-nerolidol.
Habitat
The narrow-leaved turpentine grass is widely distributed across Africa. It can be found in open grasslands or open areas in the bushveld. It prefers to grow in denser soils where it can form dominant stands but can grow in all types of soil.
Flowers
This grass flowers from October to May.
