Fauna
Plant

Lemon Grass

Cymbopogon citratus

Also known as West Indian Lemongrass

Lemon grass forms dense, aromatic tussocks of stiff, blue-green blades rising from bulbous leaf bases. Essential oils concentrated within the foliage release a crisp citrus aroma when brushed or crushed, serving as a natural defense against browsing herbivores. In tropical climates, mature clumps produce tall flowering spikes, though cultivated garden plants rarely bloom.

AromaticPerennialHerbaceous
Lemon Grass reference1 / 7
(c) Sam Kieschnick, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAutotrophic (Photosynthesis)
Predators
  • Grasshoppers
  • Spider Mites
  • Aphids
ThreatsSevere Frost, Overwatering, Root Rot
HabitatsTropical Grasslands, Cultivated Gardens, Riparian Edges
Life span3–5 years (Perennial)
Classification
  1. OrderPoales
  2. FamilyPoaceae
  3. GenusCymbopogon
  4. SpeciesCymbopogon citratus
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Leaves contain essential oils toxic to dogs and cats if ingested; keep away from pets.
Why it is dangerous
Contains essential oils like citral that disrupt digestion and cause toxicity in cats and dogs.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Forms dense clumps of tall, blue-green reed-like blades with sharp, finely serrated edges.
What to do
Keep pet animals away from plantings and wear gardening gloves when trimming coarse leaves.
Responsible observation
  • Aroma Test: Gently rub a leaf blade between your fingers to release the sharp lemon fragrance.
  • Harvest Technique: Use shears to cut stalks near ground level rather than pulling blades by hand.
  • Leaf Safety: Avoid running bare skin quickly along leaf margins to prevent minor paper-like cuts.
Related species
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