Narrow Leaved Turpentine Grass

© Narrow Leaved Turpentine Grass

Latin Name

Cymbopogon plurinodis

Uses

It is a poor grazing grass due to the essential oils which give the grass a bitter taste. It contains an essential oil with about 17 ingredients, with piperitol and delta-nerolidol been the three of the most important.

Description

Tufted perennial with 2 - 5 mm leaf blades. The inflorescence is a false panicle of up to eight paired spikes. The Narrow Turpentine Grass is unpalatable except when young.

Habitat

It grows in open grassland or open patches in bushveld regions. It grows in all soil types, but prefers heavier soils where it can form dominant stands. Widespread across Africa.

Flowers

October - May.

Kruger National Park - South African Safari