What is Cymbopogon?
{{italictitle}} {{redirect|Lemongrass}} {{Automatic taxobox |name = Lemongrass |image = YosriNov04Pokok Serai.JPG |image_caption = '''''Cymbopogon citratus''''' |display_parents = 4 |taxon = Cymbopogon |authority = [[Kurt Sprengel|Spreng.]]<ref>Sprengel, Curt (Kurt, Curtius) Polycarp Joachim 1815. Plantarum Minus Cognitarum Pugillus 2: 14</ref> |type_species = ''[[Cymbopogon schoenanthus]]'' |type_species_authority = ([[Carl Linnaeus|L.]]) [[Kurt Sprengel|Spreng.]]<ref>lectotype designated by N.L. Britton & P. Wilson, Bot. Porto Rico 1: 27 (1923)</ref> |synonyms_ref = <ref name=y>[http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/namedetail.do?name_id=451325 Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families]</ref><ref>[http://www.tropicos.org/Name/40019852 Tropicos, ''Cymbopogon'' Spreng.]</ref> |synonyms = * ''Andropogon'' sect. ''Cymbopogon'' <small>(Spreng.) Steud.</small> * ''Andropogon'' subg. ''Cymbopogon'' <small>(Spreng.) Nees</small> * ''Gymnanthelia'' <small>Andersson</small> }} '''''Cymbopogon''''' (lemongrass) is a tall [[perennial plant]]. Its common names include lemon grass, [[barbed wire]] grass, silky heads, citronella grass, and others. There are between 55 and 70 [[species]], most of them grow in [[Asia]]. == Uses == Lemongrass is native to the [[Philippines]]. It is a [[herb]]. It has a [[citrus]] taste and can be dried and powdered, or used fresh. Lemongrass is used as a flavouring in [[tea]]s, [[soup]]s, and [[curry|curries]]. It is also used for [[poultry]], fish, beef, and seafood dishes. Powdered ''Cymbopogon citratus'' is used as a [[tea]] in [[Africa|African]] countries such as [[Togo]] and the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]] and [[Latin America]]n countries such as [[Mexico]]. These species are used for the production of citronella oil. This is used in soaps to repel insects (especially [[mosquito]]es) in insect sprays, candles, and [[aromatherapy]]. The main chemicals in citronella (geraniol and citronellol) are [[antiseptic]]s. They are used in household disinfectants and soaps. ==References== {{re